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There will be a blend of smoke, noise, and an exhilarating atmosphere of glamour. Spectators will shout at a passing bus. The television graphics will move rapidly and radiantly. Eventually, a slender-figured man will engage in swift and strategic movements on the sideline, using both hands to mimic pulling levers as if controlling a pretend submarine.
It is highly likely that there will be scoring opportunities in this upcoming match. In their previous 14 games, Liverpool and Manchester City have combined for a total of 50 goals prior to their highly anticipated showdown at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. However, there is also a possibility that this game may also be characterized by missed chances, such as shots that go off course, mishandled plays, or hitting the crossbar. Both teams will have moments where they successfully capitalize on their chances, but there will also be occasions where they fail to convert critical scoring opportunities.
There is a constant urge to downplay the anticipation before a highly exciting match like this clash between the top two teams in the Premier League. We are familiar with the traditions surrounding these games, the discussions of individual battles and pivotal opportunities for the title.
The reality is often different. Experience suggests there are no one-shot title deciders, not with 10 games to be played, with Arsenal heavily in the mix, and a fixture list that suggests the three-way title race may yet be decided by how well you can do against Spurs.
However, this situation truly seems to be a decisive game, considering the past occurrences of last-day pursuits. It also presents an uncommon opportunity as both teams have relied on striking players with divergent yet equally entertaining styles, yet have found a strange harmony in their strategies.
Erling Haaland and Darwin Núñez has been a fun comparison ever since they arrived in England a few days apart for similar fees, unusually athletic and agile 6ft-plus centre-forwards. They have turned out to be fascinating for other reasons too, key players whose strengths are, as a matter of form and style, inescapably related to their moments of weakness.
Reworded: On one hand, there is Haaland, a phenomenal scorer who shines among a treble-winning team, but who also appears at times to be playing with garden trowels strapped onto his feet. On the other hand, we have the Premier League’s own wild card, a player who doesn’t just participate in a football match, but rather forcefully storms into it, spinning and tumbling at the heart of Jürgen Klopp’s attack with increasingly impressive results.
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Both are having excellent seasons. Haaland as a point of tactical evolution for the great midfield fetishist Pep Guardiola; Núñez as a slight return, a shift closer to the concussive, creative gegenpressing of early Klopp.
Throughout the course of the season, both Liverpool and City have experienced a significant amount of high-profile misses and glaring mistakes. It is not surprising that these two teams lead the Premier League in missed big chances, with Liverpool topping the table at 52 and City just two behind. This is mainly due to the fact that the top teams tend to create more scoring opportunities, resulting in both more goals and more missed chances. As skilled players, it is natural for them to miss chances and continue to dominate on the field, often leaving fans frustrated and devastated.
However, there are two intriguing sub-points within this. The first is the significant importance of the center-forward in those crucial moments of missed opportunities. Haaland holds the top spot on the individual leaderboard with 26 chances missed. Núñez follows closely behind in second place, contributing to about half of his team’s overall total. With both players on track to surpass their goal tallies from last season.
It is understandable why this is the case. The City team relies heavily on creating opportunities for their designated scorer. They consistently have possession in the attacking third. With Haaland having missed some of their chances, it is expected that this would happen, especially when it adds a variation to an otherwise dominant and repetitive game. As seen in last week’s missed shot at the Etihad, Haaland unexpectedly appeared and sent the ball far above the bar, similar to a sinking airship.
Haaland is known for his distinct style of miss, characterized by powerful shots with tangled feet and a pirouetting motion. These moments are a reflection of his remarkable strengths, particularly his unmatched combination of size, speed, and precision. Just as Usain Bolt possessed the stride length of a larger athlete and the speed of a typical sprinter, Haaland possesses a similar combination of impressive physical attributes and the ability to use them in a human-scale manner. His close-quarters energy, paired with his capability to turn and run from a distance of 30 yards, makes him virtually unstoppable and alluring to watch.
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This is the reason why he will not be able to take advantage of opportunities in that manner, as the style of play for City requires him to use more complex techniques, such as quick passes near the goal. And when he is not performing well in this aspect, we witness his lack of finesse, showing us that despite his size, he is expected to navigate in confined areas. Instead of narrowly missing the posts, we see powerful shots that hit the ground or headers that go over the bar, as if he is trying to fit his body into a small space like the backseat of a compact car.
Haaland is not concerned about missing shots and maintains a consistent level of effort because he is confident in his eventual success. However, City should be worried when he completely disappears from the game, especially against stronger opponents with skilled defenders. While Haaland makes City a more lethal team, they also become more susceptible to counterattacks. Although he may not possess a wide range of skills, his presence is crucial for the team’s success.
In recent months, Núñez has had a similar level of impact for Liverpool, although in a unique way. Even his unsuccessful attempts are unique. Núñez’s signature is his proficiency in causing the ball to miss its intended target by a small margin, deliberately and with impressive control, resulting in it bouncing off the goal post with excessive force and accuracy.
Once more, these misses highlight his primary skill of causing consistent, dynamic chaos. Núñez is not able to match Haaland’s scoring record, but he has recorded 21 tackles and interceptions, 592 touches, 36 successful dribbles, and has carried the ball for a total distance of 2,149 meters this season, which are impressive statistics for his position.
These numerical values illustrate the true essence of a dynamic force that the ancient Greeks referred to as “frenzy”. It is a constant cycle of collisions, angles, shots, runs, and decoy runs. Núñez is constantly shifting, always in close contact with opposing players, never stationary as he patiently waits for the perfect opportunity to strike. Just like Haaland, his occasional misses are a natural part of the unique skills he possesses. Despite any dry periods, the last time Liverpool was defeated with Núñez in the starting lineup was against Real Madrid in March of last year.
Both managers, particularly Guardiola, have always desired to have control and have achieved success in leagues by possessing the ball and minimizing the uncertainties in a match. Currently, neither team feels completely in control as they approach a game that will ultimately be determined by the opportunities they take and the chances they squander.
Source: theguardian.com
