Liverpool won't beat City but will finish in top 4, says Paul Parker
Our analyst tells GARY LIM Liverpool will lose but can still finish in top four under Klopp
1
It has been more than six weeks since Juergen Klopp took over as Liverpool manager. Have you noticed any significant improvements in the team?
PARKER: Liverpool have got themselves a very good manager (above) and someone who is popular.
Because he is popular, he is also going to be given time by Liverpool.
You can see a definite difference in the side.
They are playing with a higher intensity and they look a happier club.
Klopp has managed to get more out of his players, which is expected because a few players were disillusioned under Brendan Rodgers.
Klopp has given Liverpool a new lease of life. When you talk about clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United, you should be talking about recognised managers who have achieved things.
I was asking questions about Rodgers from day one of his appointment, wondering how he managed to get the job.
Klopp is a successful manager in modern football, not just one who had won in the past.
He had also won the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and guided the team to the Champions League final.
He did it in a very impressive way and he nurtured players as well.
2
Given the improvements made, can you see them squeezing into the top four this season?
If I have to stick my neck out, I will have to say yes.
Chelsea have got to go on a hell of a run to get out of their mess.
They are not going to get relegated, but you can't see them qualifying for the Champions League.
They have lost that fear factor.
I see Tottenham as Liverpool's main threat for the No. 4 spot.
There is more chance of Klopp leading the Reds to the Champions League than Rodgers because the latter doesn't have the clout to bring in the top players.
But Liverpool need a good run.
If they can do that and, if Klopp is given money to spend in January to get the players he wants, then there is a real chance.
The next five weeks will be important.
3
Man City have an important Champions League match against Juventus coming up in a few days' time. Should Manuel Pellegrini risk Sergio Aguero and David Silva, both of whom are back in training after recovering from their injuries?
Manuel Pellegrini can't afford to lose. He needs a win and a good performance precisely because they have a Champions League clash coming up.
He is in a tough spot. If his team lost with the two sitting on the bench, people will ask why he didn't start them. If they start and get injured, he's going to be blamed too.
If Aguero is nearly fit, the best way to go around it is to start him. If they can keep him fit for 80 per cent of the rest of the season, City are going to win the league. He can score anything between 15 and 20 goals for them.
With Liverpool missing Mamadou Sakho in defence, it's a good time for Aguero to expose the suspect defence.
With Silva, Pellegrini can take a little more time because he has good players and more variation in midfield.
4
How do you think the game will pan out?
City, at home, will have a little bit too much for Liverpool to handle.
Every Liverpool player has to play unbelievably well to get a result there.
If the game is at Anfield, I will go for Liverpool because of the fans and home advantage. But, in Manchester, this game is going to be all about Liverpool defending on the edge.
City's attackers will have so much more energy and too much pace for Liverpool's back four to cope.
Most of the action will happen in City's final third.
Prediction: City 2 Liverpool 0
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