Carragher: Lijnders Transforming Man City into Liverpool 2.0

Jamie Carragher believes Pep Lijnders is already helping to transform Manchester City into Liverpool 2.0. The former Reds coach was appointed by City this summer as Pep Guardiola ’s assistant following a difficult spell with Red Bull Salzburg.

And he will be hoping to help the Spaniard to a seventh Premier League title this season - his former side Liverpool having claimed the crown last term. City got off to the best possible start by thumping Wolves 4-0 on the opening weekend.

Having watched the game, Liverpool icon Carragher claimed he could see some major influence from Lijnders in City’s approach to the game. Speaking on Sky Sports , he said: “It's one game, I can't get out of my head what Pep said last season, that ‘it's not really my football where the game is going’, transition, end-to-end football.

“Pep Lijnders is a big coach, big influence on Jurgen Klopp and I did see little instance of that Liverpool team. I watched the game at the weekend and couldn't believe what I saw, the players were jumping a high line.

“When you think back to Liverpool and the amount of counter attacking goals with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah - I looked at the goal from Reijnders who was an absolute revelation - and - it was maybe not much like a Pep Guardiola goal.

“Of course they've scored plenty of counter attacking goals in the past but the reason it stood out was the counter attacking nature of it and the celebration, Lijnders and Guardiola, he's giving him the thanks hug.

“We don't know exactly what it's for but I don't think it's a coincidence, he as a coach is having a big influence on Pep Guardiola.”

While Carragher has already spotted Lijnders’ influence on City, Guardiola has also explained why he brought the Dutchman on board. Speaking about his expertise, the Spanish tactician said: "He's opened my eyes in many and a few things in a short time. It's happened for many years from all the assistant managers I've had; always I try to drink from their knowledge!

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"I need the people like last season with Juanma [Lillo], in the past with Mikel [Arteta], with Enzo [Maresca], with Dome [Torrent], with Rodo [Borrell] - all the assistants help me. Always it's, 'What is your opinion? What would you do? How would you do it? What drill will you make?'

"That is what it's all about, it's nice, and now we have experience with Kolo [Toure], with James [French], with Pep [Lijnders], and every time he adds something, I say, 'Wow! This could be good! We could make this step, we can be better', and that is how the world works! Not just all the time the same, you have to open your mind, and be open to other minds, other people!"

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