- Liverpool face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, 4 April
- The Reds have lost both their Premier League games against Pep Guardiola’s side this term
- Arne Slot will want to avoid a hat-trick of losses against arch-rivals
Pep Guardiola has name-dropped Arsenal ahead of the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final clash between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The Reds will return to action on Saturday after the international break with a cup tie with the Cityzens this weekend, making the trip to the Etihad on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s side will look to put the disappointment of their 2-1 defeat against Brighton Hove Albion behind them, while the hosts will aim to build on their 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the EFL Cup final.
Fans of both teams have been disappointed with their performances this season, with Arsenal finally on course to beat them to the Premier League title.
Slot and Guardiola will want to soften the blow by leading their respective sides to an FA Cup triumph.
Guardiola makes “biggest” claim ahead of FA Cup clash
Liverpool and Manchester City have shared a fierce rivalry over the last decade, with Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp raising the bar for the quality of football in the Premier League.
However, the Spanish tactician has remained respectful of the Anfield outfit, often citing them as one of the toughest opponents in his career.
He has now seemingly doubled down on that claim by hailing the Reds as City’s biggest rival, heaping praise on the quality of players at Slot’s disposal.
That may not go down well with some Arsenal fans, but Guardiola went on to insist his team would have to replicate their performance against Arsenal in the EFL Cup to beat Liverpool.
Guardiola during his pre press conference (3 April) stated: “They’ve been the biggest, biggest one [rival]. A top contender, top class players, all of them, and we have to perform at the level we did [against Arsenal] to reach the next step.”
Liverpool must avoid another defeat v Manchester City
Liverpool are currently placed fifth in the Premier League after 31 games, sitting 21 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
With only seven games left to play, it is all but confirmed that the Reds will not retain their title.
However, Slot can still achieve some success, as the Merseyside-based club are still active in the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds are scheduled to lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the quarter-finals of the European competition, but the Dutchman will be focused on the trip to the Etihad first.
Liverpool have struggled against Guardiola’s men this season, losing both their Premier League games against them.
The reigning English champions succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the Etihad in November before suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of City at Anfield in February.
Another defeat against the Cityzens on Saturday will signal the end of the FA Cup run for Slot and Co.
Therefore, it is imperative that Liverpool take their A game to M11 on Saturday.
Slot has received a major boost ahead of the trip, with Mohamed Salah declared fit to play after missing the 2-1 defeat against Brighton.
Alexander Isak has returned to training after an extended spell on the treatment table, while Jeremie Frimpong is passed fit after an injury scare while on international duty.
Alisson, though, is sidelined for a longer period, which means Giorgi Mamardashvili is set for an extended run of games in the lineup.
A win against City will see them progress to the semi final of the competition and would also hand Arne Slot side a major confidence boost ahead of their Champions League tie with PSG.
