The return of club football is edging ever closer, and Liverpool will face the toughest of tests upon their return to action when going head-to-head with Manchester City on Thursday evening.
Looking to retain their Carabao Cup crown, the Reds can take confidence from the fact they have already got the better of the Sky Blues once this season and knocked Pep Guardiola's side out of a cup competition last campaign.
There was nothing to separate the sides in their two Premier League meetings in 2021/22, however, drawing 2-2 at Anfield and the Etihad Stadium. The latter affair, which took place in April at the home of the Citizens, was a dare not lose fixture for both teams as they battled it out for the title and daw Liverpool come from behind twice to earn a point.
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Ahead of this contest, Guardiola went beyond a typical team talk inside the changing room and organised a pre-made video to galvanise his group. As seen on City's seven-part documentary telling the inside story of their 21/22 title win, the Catalan coach gathers his players before various clips of first-team players celebrating scoring goals and fans celebrating is viewed. The video ends by showing the definition of the word 'desire' displayed on the screen, before fading to black.
"Right, everyone inside. Let's come altogether watching the TV please," Guardiola begins. "You have to play this game altogether. Never again, you're going to play these type of games. The only chance is that, there are no second chances. You will give everything. What we're going to watch is who we are. Ok, guys? You're the best team I could imagine."
Explaining the impact of this motivational method prior to kick-off, City winger Riyad Mahrez said: "It's nice and a different way to be motivated. It's a bit of change. The video was so good and very emotional at the same time. When you watch this just before going out, it gives you a little lift."
Echoing this sentiment, Bernardo Silva added: "It makes you feel a part of it because all players are in that video. You also see the happiness of the fans when you score a goal and what it means to the people. If you watch that video, it makes you smile because everyone is scoring goals, there are happy moments and you want to repeat those moments."
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