Liverpool will entertain Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday hoping to bounce back from their midweek defeat against Napoli. Both teams are still unbeaten in the Premier League with only goal difference separating them at the top of the Premier League table.
Jurgen Klopp’s players need to improve a lot going forward if they are to beat the Citizens this weekend. The Mancunian heavyweights would be quietly confident about their chances of getting a positive result at Merseyside despite their recent poor record against the Reds.
Klopp is expected to stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation and bring back Jordan Henderson in midfield in the absence of the injured, Naby Keita.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester City
Defence
Alisson Becker will feature as the number one keeper for the Merseyside outfit once again despite not being able to keep a clean sheet away at Napoli in midweek. Simon Mignolet would have to settle for a place on the bench after conceding two goals in his last start versus Chelsea in the League Cup.
The solid centre-back duo of Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez should continue at the heart of the Liverpool defence following another resolute display from the pair at Stadio San Paolo on Wednesday night. Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson would resume their responsibilities as the full-backs on either side of the Reds backline.
Either Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip might be available on the bench and could come on during the clash against the Citizens if required.
Midfield
James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum will start at the middle of the pitch and could be joined by Jordan Henderson, who would come back into the Reds starting XI as a replacement for Naby Keita, who was injured in midweek.
The Reds midfield found life hard away at Naples when they were often outnumbered by Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Hence, they need to put on a much-improved showing against Man City at Anfield if the Merseyside giants are to come away with maximum points from this contest.
Both Milner and Wijnaldum have been in terrific form of late, and now, it would be up to Henderson to prove his worth in midfield against the Citizens this weekend.
Attack
Roberto Firmino is expected to spearhead Klopp’s attack on Sunday despite failing to score in his last three starts for Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge might have to settle for a place on the bench following his heroics versus the Pensioners in the previous weekend.
Both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are guaranteed starters and would look to use their quickness and agility to get behind the Man City defence. Xherdan Shaqiri would be an option off the bench for Klopp to consider on Sunday as well.
