City’s midfield general has a crucial role to play at Anfield

Manchester City’s midfield general Rodri has a critical role to play in today’s mammoth clash with Liverpool at Anfield later today. The Spanish international is arguably City’s most important player and value is immense to Pep Guardiola’s side. If he puts in a dominant performance today it may lead the world champions to a valuable three points.

As with any game of football, the midfield battle will go a long way in deciding today’s game. Both Liverpool and Manchester City are loaded with options through the middle of the pitch. But Rodri’s importance to Pep Guardiola’s side arguably makes him the most important player on the pitch today.

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City’s midfield sets the tone for the world champions in midfield. He makes Pep Guardiola’s side tick and without him, they’d face an uphill battle at Anfield. He holds the fort in the centre of the pitch so players like Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and co can do what they do best. Also, his forward runs from midfield are an invaluable weapon in Manchester City’s arsenal. If Rodri dominates today’s midfield battle it could set the world champions on their way to a massive victory at a venue they have typically struggled at.

Speaking before today’s game Pep Guardiola knows the value of Rodri to his team. Guardiola was asked about Rodri’s importance in taming Anfield’s hostile atmosphere. He added it would require a team effort to topple Jurgen Klopp’s side. The City manager said: “A lot! But not just Rodri I would say, but of course, he’s so important, a really, really important player. But to make a good process, a good pressing or the other ones, it doesn’t depend on just Rodri. Rodri can arrive when he can arrive, he can play when he can play, but we need the contributions from everyone to impose our game and try to win the game.”

There will be a plethora of stars on show at Anfield today. But Rodri may be the most important player on the pitch given what he could possibly contribute to Pep Guardiola’s side.