Coutinho an injury concern for Liverpool

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini claimed that his team could not have played worse had they tried following their 4-1 drubbing at home to Liverpool.

“It’s only hard work (that will get us there)”.

“We had bigger chances (in other games) since I was here but we did not take them”.

“Hopefully I’m not too far away now”. “He’s very good tactically and he gives players belief. It shows the quality we do have”. Until recently, the players were instructed to focus on the defense and the radical change brought by the German manager caught them off guard.

The opener came after seven minutes as Coutinho robbed Bacary Sagna and Mangala turned Firmino’s cross into his own net. The former Atletico Madrid striker returned from injury and scored the only goal for his side before the break.

“Today I said to my players at half-time, ‘it looks a little bit like you’re surprised that you have a 3-1 lead!'” It was a decision I made. “We all must think what will happen in the future, we have an important game on Wednesday”.

The Brazilian had run the hosts ragged throughout Saturday’s Barclays Premier League encounter, scoring the second goal and teeing up Roberto Firmino for the Reds’ third.

The Premier League has been seen as a realistic destination for Icardi and fallen Premier League giants Chelsea were said to be eyeing up a move for the Italian global. Him and [Philippe Coutinho] combined well and he was top class. “I’m really satisfied with everyone’s performance”, added the centre-back, who replaced the injured Mamadou Sakho for Saturday’s game.

Leicester City are now occupying one of the top four spots, but they aren’t expected to keep up with the rest for the entire season, and when they drop off, Klopp’s men are expected to pounce.

But, after spells at Leeds, Aston Villa and Newcastle, the 29-year-old has become used to such comings and goings.

He said: “I have had a silly amount of managers in my career”.

The correct score could have been backed at 100-1 pre-game and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are 19-1 to win the league.