Premier League week 13
Manchester City and Liverpool are on the same rhythm as both clubs came back home with big away wins. Manchester City destroyed West Ham [4-0] and Liverpool followed with a big win too [3-0] at Watford. Both club are the only two undefeated in the league this season.
Liverpool coach, Klopp react on how his team is prepared for Champions League clash in Paris:
“We worked hard in the first half as well. It was a difficult situation today. Maybe I should not talk about it but it’s to explain how difficult things are to prepare a game like this. I know you always expect perfection but we had exactly one session to prepare this game because they came back on Thursday – the Brazilians and Robbo, for example.
One session, with the specific demands of Watford’s set-pieces; you saw what they did with routines and how they play around, where they chip the balls and where they block the guys. It’s difficult. You need to work on your own set-pieces and you need to focus on the specific quality of the opponent.
It was a really mature performance. I am not sure if we had the ball in the past when we’ve played here, they were much more open games – especially the 3-3 we played here. We’ve never controlled games like this in the manner we do it now. I like that. I know a few people miss one or two situations which we had in the last season, especially the second part of the season.
We had these games last year, we had to play against teams like this. It is not fair to compare it with other games. In the similar games last year, we were not that convincing. It was not that clear that we controlled the games, but we controlled [this game]. They had moments, they had counter-attacks, you cannot avoid that. Foster has the ball, long one, and then it’s 50-50 or 60-40 for Watford. It is difficult. Controlling it, staying in that mood, being positive in a situation, that’s new for us and I like it a lot.
It was 3-0 and I don’t think any Liverpool supporter wants another result or another performance. It’s just exactly how it had be in our situation because we have to win football games week in, week out. I am really happy about the way [we did it].”
Man City coach, Guardiola on the easy away win:
“We give a lot of credit for victory. It was not the best performance and we were a little lucky today. We arrived a few times and scored, whereas West Ham did the same many times and didn’t score. I am sure we will be back soon to where we normally are.
The most important thing is that after what we achieved last season, we are still consistent and humble. Our passing today wasn’t great, but in terms of how we run without the ball it was fantastic.
This season will be tough – Tottenham didn’t spend one pound and they are they are there. The Premier League remains tough, we can’t deny it. I have an incredible staff and they know exactly when we have to train and when need to have days off.”
