Liverpool will clash heads with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday in what is set to be a battle between two of the Premier League’s best teams at the top of the table. Both sides are looking to win the title this season, so this match would serve as their first real test to see who can come out on top. The Reds have made a terrific start to their campaign but suffered a disappointing loss in midweek against Napoli.
The Citizens, on the other hand, would come into this game after sealing a come from behind win versus Hoffenheim on Tuesday night which should give them a lot of confidence about securing a result this weekend.
The recent history of this fixture makes a grim reading for the away team as they have lost in each of their past three meetings with the Merseyside giants.
Team News
Liverpool
Both Naby Keita and Adam Lallana are significant doubts for this encounter at Anfield, and the duo would be in a race against time to be fit on time. Other than that, Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns to deal with at the moment. However, most of Liverpool’s first-team players could be tired after their midweek defeat at Naples so Klopp might tinker his side a little on Sunday.
Manchester City
Both Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy will not feature against the Reds as they are still nursing their way back from their respective injuries. Moreover, Ilkay Gundogan is a major doubt for this weekend’s crunch clash in Merseyside.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
Manchester City
Ederson; Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Nicolas Otamendi, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Fernandinho, David Silva, Bernardo Silva; Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane
Key Men
Liverpool
The front three of Mane, Firmino, and Salah needs to have a productive game in the attacking third if the Reds are to come away with all three points from this contest. Klopp’s midfielders would also have a major part to play on Sunday as they look to close down and stop City from dictating play at the centre of the park.
Manchester City
Both Sterling and Sane will need to run the channels and make a significant impact in the Liverpool half. The central defensive partnership between Laporte and Otamendi would also be tested, so they need to cope with the threat of the Reds attack well this weekend.
Odds
Liverpool win – 8/5
Draw – 27/10
Manchester City win – 15/8
