Reports in the Daily Star are suggesting that Manchester City want to sign THREE Liverpool players during the summer transfer window – Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson.
SEE MORE:
Four things Coutinho must do to become the best footballer in the Premier League
Return of the 4-3-3 – How Liverpool could start on Monday, without Mamadou Sakho, but Emre Can back
Liverpool transfer news
The Premier League champions have struggled for form so far in 2015, with their latest slip-up at the hands of Crystal Palace all but ending their hopes of retaining their title. Liverpool’s season also looks set to fall short of expectations, with a top four finish now seeming unlikely.
In the list below we compare the two teams (both in a 4-4-2 formation for convenience purposes) and discuss if and where City remain superior, including how many players manager Manuel Pellegrini would need to sign to bring his side up to scratch…
GK) Joe Hart vs Simon Mignolet
Despite all of the Belgian’s recent improvements there is still no doubting the fact that Joe Hart is one of the best goalkeepers in the top flight!
Hart: 8/10 Mignolet: 7/10
RB) Pablo Zabaleta vs Emre Can
The Argentine hasn’t been up too scratch this season, while Can has made remarkable strides forward. There are still no doubts over which one you’d have though.
Zabaleta: 9/10 Can: 6/10
LB) Gael Clichy vs Alberto Moreno
Neither left-back has filled their respective managers with confidence so far this season. Moreno has youth and potential on his side.
Clichy: 6/10 Moreno: 6/10
CB) Vincent Kompany vs Martin Skrtel
The City captain has struggled to live up to his reputation so far this season, while Skrtel has starred for Liverpool. There’s little between them.
Kompany: 8/10 Skrtel: 8/10
CB) Eliaquim Mangala vs Mamadou Sakho
The former Porto man has been one of the flops of the season, while Sakho has had his moments as well. The Frenchman just gets the nod here.
Mangala: 6/10 Sakho: 7/10
CM) Fernandinho vs Joe Allen
Both expensive signings and both players who have flattered to deceive. The Welshman is often the source of much derision from his own supporters, while the Brazilian deserves little better.
Fernandinho: 6/10 Allen: 6/10
CM) Yaya Toure vs Jordan Henderson
Toure is another player who’s struggled for much of this season. Henderson has, in contrast, continued to improve. The Liverpool captain in waiting is now among the best midfielders in the top flight.
Toure: 8/10 Henderson: 8/10
RM) James Milner vs Raheem Sterling
Two extremely contrasting styles of players. You always know what you’re going to get from the hard-working Milner, while Sterling has the potential to be one of the best players in the world.
Milner: 7/10 Sterling: 8/10
LM) David Silva vs Philippe Coutinho
Both players are key to their sides way of playing. The Spaniard is getting on in years but is still among the best playmakers in the world, while the flashes of brilliance the Brazilian has shown this term have proved that he can be one of the best around.
Silva: 9/10 Coutinho: 9/10
ST) Sergio Aguero vs Daniel Sturridge
The Argentine has struggled since the turn of the year but is still near the top of the Premier League scoring charts. Sturridge looked to be on the same sort of level last season but has gone backwards this year, not helped by a succession of injuries.
Aguero: 9/10 Sturridge: 7/10
ST) Wilfried Bony vs Mario Balotelli
Bony has only managed one goal since his January move from Swansea City, where he was the Premier League’s leading scorer in 2014. Balotelli has only struck four times in all competitions and looks set to go in the summer.
Bony: 7/10 Balotelli: 5/10
Conclusions:
City’s biggest issue appears to be with the ageing nature of their squad. While Coutinho, Sterling and Henderson would not necessarily represent upgrades on what they already have, their youth and potential would be gratefully welcomed by Pellegrini and co.
Here are how the teams stand… Manchester City – 83/110 Liverpool – 77/110