Manchester City will step into the New Year either having overcome a voodoo which has been haunting them for over a decade now or they will welcome 2017 with their heads bowed having succumbed once again to the Anfield curse which has engulfed them for the longest period of time now.
Manchester City’s fortunes took a drastic and unbelievable turn when Sheik Mansour decided to take over the reins of a highly inconsistent English club and transform it into a superpower. The process has been relatively quick and the project has all the making of being a sustainable one. They have qualified and progressed admirably in Europe and have already won the League twice.
But if there is one frontier they haven’t been able to breach it has been Anfield. City have failed to win there in the Etihad area, in fact, they tasted victory last in the 2002-03 season and have inexplicably been outplayed each and every time.
But fans are hoping that this time it will be different. They have probably got the best manager in the world and they do have the team to win. But as often as been their issue, the backline will be the main area of concern and everyone needs to be at their very best to make it 4 in a row in the Premier League.
Predicted 4-1-4-1 Manchester City Lineup Vs Liverpool
DEFENCE
Claudio Bravo will be in goal. And although he has been nervy, to say the least, he has seen bigger games and owes the fans a match-winning display.
Bacary Sagna is likely to be at right-back with doubts over Zabaleta’s fitness. John Stones hasn’t been at his best and the knock to the knee has probably confirmed his absence.
Otamendi and Kolarov are the likely candidates to line up at centre-back. Clichy is their only option at left-back and he will be faced with the pace and direct approach of Mane.
