Liverpool is ready to welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday and Harvey Elliott’s reminder to their Premier League title rivals was one they were already well aware of.
Harvey Elliott shared a simple message ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League title showdown against Manchester City.
Speaking to LFCTV after beating Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday night, the youngster was asked for his thoughts on Sunday’s huge game. “Unbelievable team,” he replied. “But we are Liverpool. They are coming to our home, Anfield.”
Everyone at Liverpool knows how special Anfield can be. It’s been a factor in huge games time and time again.
And even Manchester City players know that Elliott has a point. That is illustrated by a dressing room conversation defender Manuel Akanji had with his teammates on his first visit to the iconic stadium, later recounted to Sportsmail.
“It’s funny that you ask because before the game, when we walked into the stadium for our warm-up, it was so quiet. No booing or anything,” he said.
“I told Erling [Haaland] I thought it was weird. I expected it would be really crowded and the mood against us. But I felt nothing at all.
“We came back in before the game and I talked to Riyad Mahrez as well. He was sitting right next to me. I was like, ‘Is it always like this here? Everybody talks so highly of Anfield and I don’t really see it’.
“He just told me to wait until the game started and then when it did I was like a different atmosphere completely. Particularly in the second half when our goal was disallowed and they scored. It was really, really loud then.”
Manchester City has struggled to cope with the intense Anfield atmosphere on previous visits. They’ve won just once at the stadium under Pep Guardiola, and that came without fans during the coronavirus pandemic.
This Sunday will be another huge challenge for them as Jürgen Klopp aims to take his side further clear of the reigning champions at the top of the Premier League table. Klopp was also asked about the ‘Anfield factor’ ahead of the game and said: “Yeah, I don’t have to tell that… yeah, Anfield has from time to time a real impact on our game! Yeah, come on.
“The atmosphere in the stadium, the atmosphere our people can create… am I allowed to say it is second to none or is then anybody offended by that? It is really good and energising. Massive
“These are the games you want to play, these are the games you want to get the ticket in the stadium, these are the games you want to watch. This is a very special game. And yes, Anfield for us is a massive, massive factor. It would be a bit embarrassing today if I would say, ‘Please help us.’ People will.”
While Akanji won’t be surprised by what he encounters this time around, his anecdote from his first Anfield visit shows City know full well the impact Liverpool’s fans can have on the game. Elliott issued them with a timely reminder – not that they needed it.
