‘He fell asleep’… Paul Merson reckons ‘fantastic’ Man City player could have a tough game against Liverpool

Redaction Simon Brett with James Thompson
Published on 2024-03-08 19:30:00

Former footballer Paul Merson has raised concerns about Manchester City defender Nathan Ake’s upcoming match against Liverpool.

Ake, who played a crucial role in City’s victory over Manchester United, is set to face Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.

Merson believes that it could be a challenging test for the Dutchman as he goes head-to-head with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

In his analysis for Sportskeeda, Merson highlighted the potential battle between Ake and Salah as a key matchup to watch.

He pointed out Ake’s recent errors, including allowing a goal and playing a player onside in the previous match. Merson emphasized that Salah’s return to form and goal-scoring prowess could pose a significant threat to Ake during the game.

Despite Ake’s defensive capabilities, with his impressive tackle record in the City squad this season, Merson still believes that Salah’s attacking prowess could prove to be a tough challenge for the defender.

He said: “Salah versus Nathan Ake will be one to watch out for. Ake is a fantastic player, but he fell asleep against Alejandro Garnacho last week and was responsible for playing Bruno Fernandes onside for Marcus Rashford’s goal. Salah vs Ake could be a key battle.”

Salah’s performance in the Premier League, with 15 goals and nine assists in 21 appearances, showcases his goal-scoring and playmaking abilities.

Moreover, Salah’s statistics for carries and passes into the penalty area, as well as goal-creating actions, highlight his importance to the Liverpool team. This further underscores the pressure Ake may face in trying to contain Salah during the match.

While Ake’s defensive skills may offer some reassurance, the threat posed by Salah’s attacking prowess cannot be underestimated.

With the top two teams in the league set to clash, all eyes will be on the battle between Ake and Salah as they look to make an impact in the highly anticipated encounter at Anfield.

Read Original article on Manchester City News