Manchester City will travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool at Anfield in the first-leg of their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday night. Their last visit to Liverpool saw them suffer their first domestic defeat of the season in a game full of goals. Jurgen Klopp’s side would hope to repeat that feat when they face off against the Premier League champions-elect in what is set to be a magical night at Anfield.
The Reds have won back-to-back matches in the league after suffering a bitter 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United a few weeks ago. They will go into this game full of confidence following a come-from-behind victory versus Crystal Palace last weekend. Meanwhile, the Citizens are also in good form in the Premier League and are just a few points away from securing the league title.
The recent history of this fixture makes a grim reading for the away side as they have managed to earn just one victory in their last five league meetings with the Reds. It is expected that Jurgen Klopp will deploy a 4-3-3 formation while Pep Guardiola does the same for City.
Team News
Liverpool
The Reds will be sweating on the fitness of Emre Can after he missed out on their last outing versus Crystal Palace due to an injury. Both Joe Gomez and Adam Lallana are ruled out of this clash. Jurgen Klopp is expected to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a start in midfield while Nathaniel Clyne could be available for a place on the bench.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has no fresh injury concerns but could be without the services of Sergio Aguero and Aymeric Laporte, who are both major doubts for this game. If Aguero can win the race against time to be fit for this clash, then the Spanish manager could start him ahead of Gabriel Jesus.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool
Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Can, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Manchester City
Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Kompany, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva, Sterling, Jesus, Sane.
Key Men
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah will once again be integral in Liverpool’s hopes of getting a positive result on Wednesday night. A lot will rest on the shoulders of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane as well and their performance on the night could determine the fate of the tie.
The Reds backline will definitely be tested versus City’s attacking talents so the Liverpool defence would need to put in a solid display to give themselves the best possible chance of getting a result on the night.
Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva will both be integral if the Citizens are to get a positive result at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Odds:
Liverpool win: 7/5
Draw: 2
Manchester City win: 13/5
