Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews shared his admiration for the way in which Jurgen Klopp set up his Liverpool side in their 3-0 victory over Manchester City in their Champions League quarter-final.
Pep Guardiola’s visitors arrived into Anfield as favourites to progress to the semi-finals thanks to their status as Premier League champions-elect.
But a pulsating first half performance by the Reds ensured Klopp’s side head to the Etihad Stadium for next week’s return leg in a commanding position.
Speaking with Nathan Murphy on the Keith Andrews Show, the former midfielder expressed his thoughts on a brilliant Liverpool display.
“Pressing has become a little bit of a fashionable word in the last few years,” Andrews told Off The Ball.
“Pressing isn’t easy to master. But the way he [Jurgen Klopp] did it on Wednesday night against a team who has dominated for the vast majority of the year makes it even more special.
“The way they did it and the level of aggression of winning the ball back; nicking it; intercepting it – it was ferocious.
“We’re in an era now where you can’t really tackle to the level you could 10, 15 years ago. That midfield three were flat across the pitch. And they weren’t just worried about one man – they were covering two or three players from Manchester City.
“It was synchronised – to a player. It was really well synchronised in terms of: [James] Milner goes, [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain goes. Every single player moved off the back of it.
“They did not let Man City settle for a second, it was relentless. In the first half, I cannot tell you how impressed I was with it.”
Liverpool return to Premier League action this weekend and face Everton in the latest edition of the Merseyside derby.
Listen to all the action LIVE on Off The Ball with Nathan Murphy and Alan Stubbs from noon this Saturday.
Listen to the full Keith Andrews Show podcast below:
Written by James Hopper
