(Video) ‘A bit mad…’ – Carragher highlights one big difference between Liverpool and Man City

Following Sunday’s 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City at Old Trafford, Jamie Carragher identified one significant distinction between the two teams’ playing styles.

Jurgen Klopp’s team was forced to lament their inability to convert their superiority in territory against Manchester United into a final score for the third time this season. This lack of poise in the closing minutes could prove costly in such a fiercely competitive Premier League title race.

“The one thing when you’re talking about a difference between Liverpool and Manchester City, is how clinical Manchester City is, and I just think that, with a lot of counterattacks, they play that better pass,” the former Anfield defender said in a post-match reflection on Sky Sports.

“I understand that the teams are different. Liverpool plays more end-to-end pressing and, if you will, are a little crazy, while Manchester City plays more calmly.

This season, Liverpool has outscored City 72 to 71 in the Premier League, but the underlying data indicates that the difference ought to be much greater. The Reds have the highest xG in the division (70.7), while Pep Guardiola’s team has the lowest (62.9), according to FBref.

For Merseysiders, the respective teams’ composure—or lack thereof—was painfully evident even over the weekend. We scored twice against United with an xG of 3.67, while City defeated Crystal Palace with four goals despite a low xG of 1.91 (Sofascore).

Making the right call in the final third can mean the difference between winners and finalists when the stakes are highest and there is the least amount of room for error. There is still space for improvement in that area for LFC; hopefully, by the end of the season, the story won’t be quite as depressing.