Man City need Messi to beat Liverpool, says Murphy

Danny Murphy believes Lionel Messi is needed for Manchester City to stop Liverpool winning another Premier League title.

A surprise move for Messi to the Etihad didn’t seem such a far-fetched idea less than a week ago, as he attempted to force an exit from Barcelona.

But while the six-time Ballon d’Or winner publicly confirmed his desire to leave Camp Nou in an interview last week, he accepted the club’s refusal to nullify his contract meant there is no other alternative but to stay.

Messi now intends to wait until his contract expires in June 2021 before making his next move. However, he can begin talks with non-Spanish clubs in the new year regarding a free transfer.

Until then, however, Murphy reckons City may trail Liverpool again this season without the Argentine in their ranks.

“I think either Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola will be champions again in May,” the ex-Reds midfield told the Daily Mail.

“But I believe the latest twist in Lionel Messi’s on-off move to Manchester City swings the advantage back to Anfield.

Messi taking the p155 out of Milner 😂pic.twitter.com/ksL4AxJFV7

— Goal (@goal) September 7, 2020

“As it stands, the evidence points to Liverpool. Everything about the team works, everyone understands their jobs from full-backs to up front. To use a car analogy, you know they’ll pass the MOT before going into the garage.

“Some will question the lack of transfer activity but I’m sure Klopp believes the old saying: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

“The durability of the front three Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino is phenomenal, a credit to them and the Liverpool sports science department.

“Not enough cover? Well, they do have Divock Origi, , Xherdan Shaqiri, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster. Klopp seems happy with that, and he’s been right on almost everything else.

“The one big change being mooted is Thiago Alcantara coming in from Bayern Munich if Gini Wijnaldum leaves for Barcelona. But that wouldn’t weaken Liverpool. I wouldn’t be worried.

“For City to stop them, they need to sign Messi, but that looks unlikely after the Argentine’s statement on Friday evening, unless there is a major U-turn from Barca and they let him go for a reduced price.

📰 [CAUTRO] | Messi returns to training but makes it clear; he will not entertain any invitations to discuss his future unless there is a new president with a sporting project that excites him. pic.twitter.com/1q2Yn8wVpb

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) September 7, 2020

“Messi at City could have been a total game-changer in the title race because he’s the best player that ever lived. City lost nine times last season but dominated most of them without taking their chances.

“That wouldn’t have happened in a Messi team, he’d never be deprived of the ball in this City team, and would have found a way.

“It’s sad for Premier League fans we’ll have to wait to see Messi, if at all. But Liverpool fans will be delighted. I make them favorites now, even if the bookmakers disagree.”