The best and only way to get over the disappointing night at Monaco would be a cracking win against Liverpool this weekend. A win will be all the more important for City because the Premier League goes into an international break, and the fans will have something to cheer for during that frustrating period.
However, it won’t be easy given Liverpool’s record against the top six this season. No matter how poor they play on a regular basis, Jurgen Klopp’s men have always turned up stronger against top opponents and Pep Guardiola would expect the same.
City lost out to Liverpool 1-0 in the reverse fixture, where neither side looked sharp enough but such was the fate for the Citizens. And it doesn’t look like changing this time too, going by recent record. City have lost five of their last six league meetings against Liverpool and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 12 meetings in all competitions.
A win against Liverpool will be City’s landmark 200th win in the English Premier League and they would be only the eighth team to achieve it. That’s definitely a grand way to go into a break!
Strongest Manchester City XI vs Liverpool
Defence
Willy Caballero will start under the bar. The Argentine had pulled off some brilliant saves against Monaco but the poor defending gave away the game. He would hope for a better display from his defenders against a side, whose only tactics is attacking relentlessly.
Guardiola is expected to start with four at the back for sure. The left defensive flank should be taken by Gael Clichy, while the right one should be taken by Bacary Sagna. Not playing Nicolas Otamendi in central defence paid Guardiola back in the worst way possible and the Spanish manager isn’t expected to make the same mistake again.
Otamendi should take his place beside John Stones. Although Vincent Kompany is back in training, we don’t expect the manager to throw him in such a high-octane fixture.
Midfield
Fernandinho should continue to take his anchor position. Fernandinho will definitely have a heavy duty role, covering Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana. Monaco’s compact defence hardly gave any opening for Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to work their guile and the repeated poor touches didn’t help their cause. However, Liverpool’s open play would be the perfect setup for the duo to find pockets.
Attack
They should also remain unchanged given the impact they can have when they get going. Leroy Sane should start on the left wing with the former Liverpool man Raheem Sterling on the other. Sergio Aguero would want to put his dismal performance behind with a terrific display.
