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De Jong warns Man City of Liverpool clash

Comment: 0 January 3rd, 2012 by: admin

MANCHESTER City’s Nigel de Jong recently sent a public warning to his teammates asking them to take heed of the scheduled clash with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

According to the midfielder, the performance the Reds displayed as they defeated Newcastle 3-1 last week is enough to present them as a legitimate threat to the current Premier League leaders.

‘Liverpool is going to be another tough game,’ said De Jong, whose side came from a recent surprise defeat at Sunderland.

‘They’ve just had a boost be getting their captain back – Steven Gerrard is playing again, and they are on a good streak at the moment, so it will be difficult.

‘But games against Liverpool are always tough, whether they are at home or away.  They always come out of the dressing-room looking to dictate the play, the same as we do.

‘But we are at home and have our supporters behind us, so we have to take full advantage of that and try to get three points.’

Liverpool, under Kenny Dalglish’s management, has been enjoying a generally favourable form so far, having 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 matches.  On the road, they have tallied a 6-game total of 4 wins, 1 draw and only 1 loss.

Roberto Mancini’s team, however, remain at the top of the table but are tied with rivals and second-placers Manchester United in points, and lead only in goal difference.

Despite the impending challenge, and the narrowing margin between them and their EPL rivals, De Jong maintains that while City’s confidence remains at top level – even after the weekend upset at the Stadium of Light.

‘We are still top of the table – it would have been nicer to have a three-point difference over United and the rest of the teams, so it’s disappointing in that respect.

‘But we are the leaders, and we just have to get ourselves back on track in the next game.’

The same confidence is brimming at Anfield, where Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insisted that they do not consider Manchester City as a frightening threat.

‘Bring it on,’ said Gerrard.  ‘They are a fantastic team who have started the season really well but we’ve got nothing to fear.

‘We showed against them here a couple of weeks ago that we more than matched them.  These are exciting games, we don’t fear these and these are the games as a player you want to play in.  I can’t wait. ‘

Gerrard is expected to be in the lineup – a relief to him and to Liverpool supporters after the skipper’s mere 15 appearances in 2011 due to a groin injury, followed by ankle problems.

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