The Manchester City midfielder and Liverpool defender both expect the Champions League quarter-final between the Premier League rivals to be a battle
Virgil van Dijk and Ilkay Gundogan believe Liverpool and Manchester City are in for a battle when they meet in next month's Champions League quarter-final.
Friday's draw paired the two remaining Premier League sides together, with Anfield hosting the first leg on April 4 before the teams head to the Etihad Stadium six days later.
Liverpool are the only team City have lost to in the Premier League this season, with Pep Guardiola's men closing in on the title to add to their EFL Cup crown won against Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp also has a better record against Guardiola than any other manager, but Van Dijk still expects the Reds to face a difficult task against City.
"Everybody knows that anyone we get is going to be very hard," Van Dijk, who became the world's most expensive defender when he joined from Southampton in January, told Liverpool's website.
"Man City are a very good team, very hard to play against and we need to be 100 per cent or even better to beat them over two games. We can prepare for that when the time comes."
Manchester City have never been further than the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Gundogan hopes his experience of the tournament can help his team progress against Liverpool.
"At the end you need to play against the best to win this trophy," Germany international Gundogan said to City's website. "You must compete against the best to get to the final and, of course, to win it.
"I was lucky enough to play in the Champions League final in 2013 with Borussia Dortmund, unfortunately we lost [to Bayern Munich], so obviously I can't wait to try and get to a final and win it this time - that is my main target.
"Fortunately, we won the EFL Cup and we are very happy about it, to gain our first trophy quite early in the season. This is now in our hands, nobody can take it away.
"For us, this is just the beginning. We are in good shape to face the elite clubs in Europe, but I wouldn't say we are there just yet.
"We need to compete with teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich – the biggest teams on a regular basis, so it doesn't make a difference who you get at this stage."
Ekemtime
1
kompany will start in place of laporte ....and D.silva will play in place of Gundogan....and Sterling in place of B.silva.....pep will play 4-3-3.. Always
sterling can't play in anfield.. he gets distracted from the boos of the crowd
henrysgproperty
0
Spot on vvd! plenty of our players except milner/henderson has played in champions league. In fact only milner experienced the furthest success. Even our great vvd, firmino, Lallana, Lovren, Mane, Gini, emre, Robertson, clyne, Trent, gomez, Karius..oh fuxx, it's the entire squad that doesn't have champions league experience. Salah has a little, thank god. Look at Juventus, old squad but formidable. That's plenty of experience playing against the entire Europe. Liverpool may have a great history but since 2005, they didn't have much European success. To reach finals in Europa last season and quarterfinal in champions league this season is a great feat by Klopp! Even if they beat City and progress to the semis dun warrant any success with King of Spain, Germany and Italy still in the competition. Best of all, 3 X spanish squad still remains and 2x Italian squad. if we do progress, I hope they get to face the Italian and final Vs King of Spain (Barcelona) Hail Klopp!
shedosky
2
Its gonna be survival of the fittest indeed. If Liverpool should have the mentality that they are the only team to beat ManCity this season, then am sorry to announce to them that this is entirely different league with entirely different mindset . I wish they qualify anyway
dizaikopu
1
i am support man city this is we cup
dizaikopu
2
its good lineap ww
shuvam12345
1
best Liverpool - Man city combination XI Coach : Guirdialo
BornRed
1
ManCity vs Liverpool lineup Best Lineup... It will be an amazing match.... Can't wait any more...
BornRed
1
this match will blow everyone's mind....
Arjun1994
2
will be a great match but City will come out on top
jakirocitizen
2
pep should use this formation against liverpool which would be very tactical so that B.Silva play centre attacking mid and fernandinho would play defensive mid which make Liverpool under pressure and man city defense stronger with b.mendy.
[image]
kompany will start in place of laporte ....and D.silva will play in place of Gundogan....and Sterling in place of B.silva.....pep will play 4-3-3.. Always
peydklny
0
laporte for kompany
apparently david silva not good enough for u. hacks
peydklny
0
We the only team to beat Man City in the League and It's rédemption time of that 5-0,hope that Mané Moment at Etihad won't happen that might seriously spoil the tie.The best part is that there will be no Parked Bus on the Field.
yes no bus in england #glorydays
peydklny
2
pep should use this formation against liverpool which would be very tactical so that B.Silva play centre attacking mid and fernandinho would play defensive mid which make Liverpool under pressure and man city defense stronger with b.mendy.
[image]
dont quit ur day job
Nambdinrsz
2
pep should use this formation against liverpool which would be very tactical so that B.Silva play centre attacking mid and fernandinho would play defensive mid which make Liverpool under pressure and man city defense stronger with b.mendy.
[image]
laporte for kompany
boedilpsu
1
pep should use this formation against liverpool which would be very tactical so that B.Silva play centre attacking mid and fernandinho would play defensive mid which make Liverpool under pressure and man city defense stronger with b.mendy.
Antireal
1
its a 2 game ,if it was 1 yes liverpool could have advanced ,but being so its almost 10 % chance liverpool can actually win it ,just because of liverpools horrific defence ..one game they can win 3_0 but the next man city can score 5 and winit in20 minutes.
Vishanth777
0
Probable lineups
Vasailnpt
0
Trust in Klopp! I reckon he's going to conjure magic. Hopefully Clyne will be back before time.
Clyne will be going to prison don’t you watch the news lad🤫🤫🤫🤫
Librajia
3
Liverpool will qualify for final, semi final never be a problem for klopp but his problem is only final.
jJustin
2
We the only team to beat Man City in the League and It's rédemption time of that 5-0,hope that Mané Moment at Etihad won't happen that might seriously spoil the tie.The best part is that there will be no Parked Bus on the Field.
leadership
2
One thing is for sure: this will be the most fun game to watch.
Ericssonio
2
It’ll be two cracking games of football.
Newmannel
0
It's all a bonus from here on in for Liverpool. Go for it, nothing to fear, Citys style suits the way we play
Lenlife
0
I'm a Liverpool fan but either one is good enough to win the CL if one of them go thru.
updatea
1
As of right now I'm not exactly overwhelmed by this. I wanted Madrid or Barca.. Roma would have been nice also. What a boring draw we can play City countless times in a season. Meh
typhoonv
2
City are very good team but we are Liverpool, we fear no-one !!!
Bandura
1
It s going to be an entertaining game from 2 best football teams in England
idiot12
2
UEFA didn't want 2 English teams in the Semis period. We all know these draws are always manipulated.
FCBribery
2
We cant let city score at Anfield, I'd take even a 1-0 at home
Vasailnpt
0
Pessimistic about the result cos yes we can out play them but our defence gives me the negative vibes. Lovren is a disastrous VVD can’t do it alone. So even if we score at anfield the tie will be decided in etihad. I prefer the first leg away then at home. Scared by city’s attacking powers and our defence. Need no reminding what happened at etihad last year. Also klopp doesn’t do well against pep in knockout competition
Unfortunately you don’t get everything you’re own way like you have f the last 40
Dynalas
0
City only attack. Which leaves gaps. Something we got to exploit like last time.
Brandonwe
2
We have nothing to fear, nothing to be pessimistic about, city know we can beat them as we have done already this season, deserved winners also and city know they got rather fortunate with mane being sent off in first game as we were the better side, they will fear us more than we fear them, we know there quality and they know ours, will be a great game over 2 legs but we can beat them and go onto the semi final YNWA
Armourer
1
We can easily sail through if Klopp make a good job on our defence
Jackys
2
Trust in Klopp! I reckon he's going to conjure magic. Hopefully Clyne will be back before time.
Jeremye
1
Pep can only play one way. I think we have options. They will be favourites but they won't be happy with the draw.
loosen
0
To win the trophy you have to beat whoever is drawn against you. It is a match we are more than capable of winning.
Ludicrous
0
we can match city and we've proved it this season! yes they hammered us at the etihad but that's because we lost mane we were on top before that so I'm happy with the draw! wanted anyone but Munich and juve so I'm happy! YNWA!!!! 6 TIMES!!
Vasailnpt
0
We r Liverpool ..we scared of no team..bring it on and play football with us Man City...what a game it promises to be...
Another cockney red it gets better 😡😡😡😡
Stuartkoob
0
This is our only chance to win a trophy this season....we must beat City at all cost..... I'm just tired of a season without trophy.
retirement
0
The draw, is so corrupt it's untrue.. Barca avoid Madrid again just so UEFA get their dream final do me a favour..
lkoop
0
Hate this draw it only suits UEFA, the Spanish and Italians, wanted us to get drawn against anyone except City so there you go, you get what you don't wish for!!!!
Rockmans
0
Disappointed that the two English clubs have been drawn together. I guess it means at least will be the single English rep in the next round.
Vasailnpt
0
It's a bad draw. City won't open up like they did in the league at Anfield. With the second leg at city they will look to win it there although they will be very very dangerous in either leg. We need to be at our attacking best in both legs and to put in the 2 best defensive performances of the last 2 years. Big ask but we know we can do it.
I think Liverpool will take it 5/3 over both legs🧠🧠🧠
KAUST
0
Two English teams in the draw.. drawn against each other after being drawn last. All three Spanish teams avoid each other.
negative
0
I know for damn sure.liverpool will score 3 or more goals.but wt matters is tat city shud not score.klopp jus come on with a better defensive solution.
pokerin
0
We r Liverpool ..we scared of no team..bring it on and play football with us Man City...what a game it promises to be...
keduo
0
Actually at this stage of competition there is no really lesser team... to play Man City, may be better than playing Barca. So LFC need to be at their best from now onwards for another 5 games!! YNWA
Vincenter
0
Pessimistic about the result cos yes we can out play them but our defence gives me the negative vibes. Lovren is a disastrous VVD can’t do it alone. So even if we score at anfield the tie will be decided in etihad. I prefer the first leg away then at home. Scared by city’s attacking powers and our defence. Need no reminding what happened at etihad last year. Also klopp doesn’t do well against pep in knockout competition
coykmoy
2
city will win with no. doubt and 100% positive result to city