Most of the time, the numbers game prevails: a vast amount of possession turns into a reasonable number of presentable chances, enough of which are put away to secure three points. The flip side of this is that the vast majority of opponents will set up to defend and contain, creating a war of attrition every week. The nature of the juggernauts constructed by Klopp and Guardiola means that both Liverpool and Manchester City will expect to dominate almost every match. That places undue focus on fine margins, something which previously tended to get ironed out over the course of a long campaign. A merely good team can no longer win the division: near-perfection is required. There can be little doubt that Manchester City and Liverpool have changed the game in the Premier League over the past few seasons. Even so, there are some underlying reasons why both elite coaches are now swinging back towards true number nines. Meanwhile, Liverpool would probably not be making this move were it not for the impending departure of Mané. It is well-publicised that Guardiola wanted Harry Kane last summer. Why, then, has the change of heart come now? In one sense, the synchronised timing is coincidence. Likewise, since Sergio Agüero left Man City, Guardiola has not installed an out-and-out striker. For the latter part of last season, Sadio Mané was used in the role. Diogo Jota is the closest Klopp has come, but he shares many traits with Firmino, and is a converted winger. As for Klopp, he built his Liverpool side around Roberto Firmino from the very start, heralding a new breed of striker.Įven as Liverpool have evolved, there has been no sign of an orthodox centre-forward. Moving Lionel Messi into that role helped create the greatest player the world has ever seen. Guardiola has long been associated with the false nine concept, dating back to his time at Barcelona. READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp has big Darwin Núñez decision as Liverpool evolution could take two different paths READ MORE: Liverpool can fix two Jürgen Klopp issues with bargain transfer for star who has confirmed exit No doubt the players themselves will be asked to change their games too, but it seems clear that a change of approach is on the cards for both Liverpool and Manchester City - each have signed classic number nines, having previously pioneered systems without them. There is a broader question about which side can adapt most effectively. Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are constantly looking to seek an edge, and the success of the two respective transfers could prove decisive.īut it is not simply about who is better out of Núñez and Haaland. But as far as the narrative goes, their arrival in the same transfer window is apt.Īll being well, the pair could come to symbolise the next phase of the competitive rivalry between Man City and Liverpool. The alignment was not the neatest it could have been: the Norwegian’s arrival at Manchester City has been all but ratified for weeks, while it was Benfica rather than Liverpool who initially signalled completion of a move for the Uruguayan. It seemed fitting that Erling Haaland and Darwin Núñez were confirmed on the same day.