Salah & Mane’s Liverpool cannot afford to relax – Man City can still turn the tie

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (R) celebrates with teammate Sadio Mane

Tuesday Apr 10, 2018. 18:00

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool cannot afford to relax in the return leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal later this evening.

The Reds head to the Etihad Stadium with a comfortable 3-0 lead over Manchester City, who are reeling after also suffering a 3-2 loss at home to arch rivals Manchester United this past weekend.

Yet City manager Pep Guardiola believes his side is capable of turning the tie around, citing the way they pulled the Red Devils’ defence apart on the weekend, only to squander several good chances to kill the game off.

“My team is extraordinary,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference. “My team is not comparable to many others. It is top. My team is exceptional.

“It is a joy to be manager of that team, even two days ago, after the way we played. I am so delighted.

“Of course to go through you have to make almost the perfect game, to create a lot of chances, be clinical, concede few chances. And the chances we are going to receive – our keeper needs to save them. All the conditions have to be perfect to go through.”

The Spanish manager added: “We [City and Liverpool] know each other. Maybe we will be closer to beating them.

“We cannot forget it is a simple game – just focus on every single minute. That is the best way to play. If we concede a goal, don’t give up.”

Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium will be at 20h45 CAT.