In one of the most eagerly-anticipated Premier League games in recent history. first and second go head-to-head when Champions City host the Reds on Sunday afternoon.
Lifelong City fan Morgan, who will naturally be cheering on her beloved Blues, says she is relishing the clash and believes the two sides’ hunger and desire, as well as the tactical genius of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, has driven standards across the board in the English game.
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“City and Liverpool over the last seven or eight years have been far and away the best teams in English football and that’s where the rivalry has stemmed from: constantly trying to outdo each other,” she told mancity.com.
“When City were dominant, Liverpool had to improve and then when Liverpool won the league, City had to come back stronger.
“They’re constantly trying to perfect and get better. That’s the standard the two teams have been playing at for so many years. The rivalry has stemmed from the competitiveness.
“They’ve increased the standard of the league by far. They’ve changed the way English football is played by every team, who now also try to build from the back and adopt a pressing style – maybe not against the top teams but against each other.
“That’s come from the managers. They’ve brought these styles from Spain and Germany respectively and maybe changed the methods of training as well: more ball-focused and tactically-oriented, whereas in the past, it’s been about physicality and playing games.
“They’ve made players so much more intelligent and made them see the game in a different way. That’s filtered into our game too – a lot of our style [in the women’s team] is based around Pep’s philosophy – so it’s transcended into English sport for sure.”
With just a point separating the sides before kick-off and just seven games remaining afterwards, the magnitude of the encounter has dominated much of the pre-match conversation and Morgan admits such games can prove defining.
“It feels like it’s such a big game,” she added. “Personally, I think that whoever wins will probably go on to win the league title.
“Momentum swings in these games – it can give you the belief that you are the best team in the league and you go on to win it, or it can knock you off your stride.
“These games tend to be the tipping points one way or another to determine the outcome at the end of the season.
“Obviously, I’m really hopeful the men’s team will win. It would be a huge stepping stone and hopefully, they’ll go on to win the title.”
One of several intriguing subplots to the fixture will be the head-to-head contests across the pitch.
For Morgan, City’s Riyad Mahrez and Liverpool’s Mo Salah will be key, having regularly performed on the big stage.
“Mahrez has been so good this season,” she hailed. “I love watching him play – the way he controls the ball on the wing and drives at people… he glides! He’s a joy to watch.
“Salah, in the same position in the Liverpool team, is electric. He’s so fast and so powerful. They’re different players but similar in the way they go past people with ease.
“Those two will probably have a big say in the games, given their form and the impacts they’ve had with their respective teams.”
City host Liverpool at 16:30pm (UK) on Sunday 10 April and we’ll have comprehensive coverage here on mancity.com and the official app.
Live updates begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, whilst our Matchday Live show, with guests Shaun Goater and David James, starts one hour before we get under way at the Etihad Stadium.
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison, whilst a match report and post-match reaction from players and Pep Guardiola will be available shortly after the final whistle.
You can watch highlights for free from 20:15 on Sunday and CITY+ subscribers can also enjoy a full-match replay from midnight after the game.
