High Press Episode 21:
Episode 21 of High Press focuses on Manchester City and Liverpool’s rivalry over the last few years.
Host Alison Bender is joined by Shaun Custis, Sam Cunningham & Riath Al-Samarrai to compare the key players at Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s disposal.
Klopp bowing out, is Guardiola next?
While the focus is obviously on Klopp’s ‘long goodbye’, Custis is quick to question whether Guardiola is as close to leaving Manchester City as many people believe. Although, he also references the ‘elephant in the room’ of the 115 charges against City.
“I just have an inkling that national management might be something just for him to have a bit of his life back,” says Bender.
Custis adds, “You definitely, when you’re dealing with Pep and Klopp, have to think about your question pretty hard. You can’t just throw in some bland statement.”
Alisson vs Ederson
The focus then switches to comparing players at key positions, starting with Alisson and Ederson. Bender describes them as ‘two of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League’. Al-Samarri gives Alisson the edge, while Custis doesn’t know how the Brazil manager ever chooses between them.
Cunningham responds, “I think that position, especially for Guardiola, is so hard to play like that… You’re almost in the back line with the defenders.”
Virgil van Dijk vs Vincent Kompany
Central defence is next up, with Bender pitting Virgil van Dijk against Vincent Kompany.
Al-Samarrai says, “I love Kompany as a player. Fantastic leader, obviously… having said all that about Kompany, I’d have van Dijk…
“Kompany himself says van Dijk is the best centre half to play in the Premier League.”
Cunningham gives Kompany the slight edge, citing a lack of mistakes throughout his time in the Premier League.
Bender doesn’t think anyone can really challenge Kevin De Bruyne from Liverpool’s midfield, and Al-Samarrai agrees.
Kevin De Bruyne is a genius
“No disrespect to anyone from Liverpool at all, I think it’s just how much we all rate Kevin De Bruyne. The man’s a genius.”
He adds, “He’s picking out the run before the run has even started. All of that is happening in the car-crash-madness in midfield.”
There’s an early controversial take from Custis on the forwards.
“Darwin Nunez might prove to be the best of the lot. Because, actually, Nunez does more than Erling Haaland does. He gets involved in the game more, he has a lot more touches.”
Haaland vs Salah vs Aguero
Custis continues, “If you’re ever talking about combined Liverpool and Man City teams, you have to put Mo Salah in that team.”
While there is massive praise for Salah, Bender describes Haaland as ‘superhuman’, and Cunningham admits that Haaland would have to be the choice if you were selecting a player for a match tomorrow.
Al-Samarrai opts for ‘style over statistics’ in the final third, picking Salah over Haaland. Custis switches to Salah at the last minute after talking up the impact of Haaland, with Cunningham being the only member of the panel to take the Norwegian.
Klopp or Guardiola – who’s impact is greater?
Finishing up the discussion on the two managers, there’s agreement that the outcome of the 115 charges will have a major impact on Guardiola’s City legacy. Bender also suggests that Klopp plays better football.
Which players would you pick? And which manager has had the greater impact on the Premier League?
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