Liverpool legend Graeme Souness claims Jurgen Klopp’s side are a ‘more basic’ team than ‘artistic’ Manchester City

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness claims Jurgen Klopp’s side are a ‘more basic’ team than ‘artistic’ Manchester City
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has labelled the current Reds team as ‘more basic’ than ‘artistic’ title rivals Manchester City.The Citizens reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to four points with a 2-1 win at the Etihad on Thursday night, breathing new life into the race to be crowned 2018/19 champions.2

City claimed a hard-fought win against the leaders

And Souness, who won a catalogue of honours as a Liverpool player, claimed City managed to stifle the Reds’ hardworking and physical midfield on their way to victory.In his column for The Sunday Times, Souness writes: “As a Liverpool supporter, I see Jurgen Klopps side as a more basic team than Manchester City.“With Liverpool, you know what youre going to get. Their midfield is hardworking and physical and on Thursday evening, City knew they had to deal with that.”He continues: “With players such as Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Bernardo Silva, Pep Guardiolas Manchester City are a more artistic sidethan Liverpool.“But this was not the quality that got them a 2-1 win on Thursday evening. Rather it was the energy and the effort put in by the creative players when Liverpool had possession.”When working as a pundit for Sky Sports for the game, Souness labelled City man Fernandinho as ‘the best midfielder in the country‘.2

Liverpool lost the midfield battle, with Fernandinho running the show

And he took the opportunity to heap praise on the Brazilian again, adding:“They [Manchester City] succeeded because Fernandinho is the best defensive midfielder in our league and he was at his outstanding best against Liverpool.“He understands the position, he protects his back four and he is no slouch on the ball.”It’s not clear how much of an impact the result on Thursday will have on the title race but Souness believes the momentum has not swung in favour of the defending Premier League champions. Souness said:“I understand why Pep Guardiola was so pleased after the game. Beforehand he had said that if City lost, the title race would be almost over. Now it is very much back on.“What I dont buy into is the view offered by many that the momentum has swung from Liverpool to City. The greater pressure will be on City not to let that four-point gap widen again.”

---

Aston Villa vs Derby Championship play-off final: Kick-off time, TV details, live stream, team news The play-off final will take place at Wembley this weekend By Marc Williams
Aston Villa vs Derby: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time

---

Celtic captain Scott Brown escaped a ban after a Scottish Football Association disciplinary charge was not proven. The 33-year-old midfielder was issued with a notice of complaint for alleged
Celtic captain Scott Brown escapes punishment after SFA

---

Jose Mourinho 'calls Paul Pogba "a virus" in sensational dressing room row' The incident is believed to have taken place following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Southampton
Manchester United star Paul Pogba hits back at Jose Mourinho

---

Manchester United stance on Gareth Bale in transfer window revealed. Gareth Bale is not wanted at Real Madrid and Man Utd have made at least four attempts to sign him in past transfer windows.

---

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country? Without any hesitation, it is Manchester United. The love for teams such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and, lately, Chelsea is so strong and thus the rivalry and arguments - especially between Liverpool and United fans - are so intense.
Premier League LIVE: Chelsea and Liverpool battle for top 4

---

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been offered a new long-term contract by Chelsea, as well as a place in Maurizio Sarri's first-team squad for the new season, according to reports. The 17-year-old,
Deal close!! Chelsea win as Callum Hudson-Odoi is close to

---

Women's World Cup preview for England vs Scotland in Nice, including how to watch info, team news, recent form and prediction.
Women's World Cup odds, predictions 2019: Betting lines

---

Virgil van Dijk has called for patience from Liverpool fans, admitting he could sense nervousness from the crowd following their 1-1 draw with Leicester on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp's side failed to beat a side outside of the top six for the first time this season after the Foxes battled back to claim a point at Anfield in snowy conditions.
Liverpool must not allow the fear of failure to grip them in

---

Sports Mole rounds up all of the action in the FA Cup as Barnsley ease past Chester to reach the third round of the tournament. Barnsley have cemented a place in the third round of the FA Cup
FA Cup roundup: Chesham United shock Bristol Rovers

---

Claudio Ranieri admitted he 'wanted to kill Aboubakar Kamara' after Fulham's late victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday. The Frenchman won a penalty for the hosts, but refused to give the ball to designated spot kick specialist Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Claudio Ranieri says he 'wanted to kill' Aboubakar Kamara

---

AZ Player Put So Much Spin On Chip-Shot That Ball Spins Away From Net After Landing it lands on the goal line and doesn't night by nicking his left boot. The 22-year old's boot came off in
Where does Deulofeu's goal rank in top 10 at new Wembley?

---

Raheem Sterling offers funny explanation for FA Cup final rollicking from Pep Guardiola Manchester City completed a historic domestic treble whey they beat Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday. Having already won the Premier League and Carabao Cup, talkSPORT 3 hours ago
Do not steal goals, Raheem! Sterling offers explanation for

---

Fulham fight back from two goals down to seal incredible

---