Manchester City have had a very interesting season so far. In the domestic league, they have trounced every opponent in their path. Although they were ousted in the FA Cup, the boys from Etihad have also won the Carabao Cup. They have almost wrapped up the title with only two defeats in the process, one against Liverpool and one against Manchester United.
The defeat to Liverpool becomes significant here since their next match is up against the Reds. Pep Guardiola’s men faced off against Jurgen Klopp’s earlier this year and went on to lose 4-3 at Anfield. Last week they visited Anfield once again, this time to play the first leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. They were the favourites to proceed to the next round but Klopp’s men schooled Guardiola’s boys and hammered them 3-0.
They now come up for the second leg at the Etihad knowing that the Blue team of Manchester will have to conquer an outrageous victory to proceed to the semi-finals. However, one must not forget that Manchester City did defeat Liverpool 5-0 last year in the early part of the season.
Guardiola’s boys hold the power to defeat any team on any given day and since this will be their most important match of the season, this is how Klopp can expect City to line up for the match.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence:
Ederson who has been rock solid in goal can be expected to continue. In defence, Kyle Walker can be expected to be restored to the starting lineup after missing out on the Manchester derby. Fabian Delph can be expected to take charge at left back with Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi playing as the two centre-backs for Pep Guardiola.
Midfield
Fernandinho can be expected to sit behind and wall the defence and distribute the game for City. David Silva can be expected to line up next to Kevin De Bruyne and the pair will be challenged with orchestrating the City attack.
Attack
Leroy Sane can be expected on the left flank and the German will have to up his game for this match. Bernardo Silva could get the nod ahead of Raheem Sterling after the Englishman missed several chances in the last week. Sergio Aguero can be expected to start ahead of Gabriel Jesus for a match City will need to win by a margin of at least 3 goals or more.
