Liverpool vs Manchester City
Date: 10/11/2019
K/O: 16.30
Venue: Anfield
Referee: Michael Oliver
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
In the most eagerly anticipated clash of the season, England’s two best teams, arguably the top two in the world, go head-to-head in what some are already calling a title decider. This is Pep vs Klopp. The champions of Europe vs the champions of England. This is Liverpool vs Manchester City.
Anfield is the setting for this colossal battle between the table-toppers Liverpool and the chasing Manchester City. The hosts’ near-perfect start to the season, only blemished by a draw at Old Trafford, sees them six points clear of their new bitter rivals. Jurgen Klopp will know that should his side emerge victorious on Sunday evening, Liverpool will not get a better time to end their 30-year wait for a league title.
Out to spoil the Merseyside party and close the gap to just three points is Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Despite suffering an injury crisis, the visitors know they have the potential to hurt a Liverpool side who have failed to keep a clean sheet for eight matches in all competitions. However, if they are to secure what would be a priceless victory, they will have to end their Anfield hoodoo. City have won just once at Anfield since 1981 – and that was sixteen years ago.
With 31 points from a possible 33, Liverpool’s performances have not yet hit the dizzying heights of last season. However, Klopp has instilled a ruthlessness in his team that is often seen in champions of bygone eras.
Playing below par and winning has been a feature of the Reds this season, and one that will unlikely bear fruit against a world-class Manchester City side. Their last four league games have seen them score five goals from the 75th minute onwards. All have been crucial. They have turned draws into wins (Leicester and Tottenham), losses into draws (Manchester United) and last time out at Villa Park, a dramatic late salvo inspired by Sadio Mane turned a potential loss into a win.
However, similarly, poor performances will simply not cut it against Manchester City. Some have said that City have been out of sorts this season, but it should be known that only Inter Milan, Juventus and Liverpool average more points per game in Europe’s top five leagues this season. Despite suffering an injury crisis, Guardiola and his charges know that victory at Anfield will breathe fire into the title race.
With both defences looking shaky, will it come down to whose front three can produce the magic? Or will Sunday afternoon produce an unlikely hero? The only thing guaranteed is that the eyes of the footballing world will be on Anfield come Sunday evening for a titanic tussle between England’s finest.
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool will remain without Joel Matip as he recovers from a knee injury, with Dejan Lovren set to deputise. The only other doubts for the hosts were captain Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk, but Klopp has confirmed that both will be fit for Sunday.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can’t do much more to force himself into his manager’s plans after recent impressive performances and stunning strikes. However, it is unlikely that will Klopp will shift from his tried and tested strategy against the big teams.
Manchester City
Manchester City will have to cope without a string of first-team stars. Long term absentees Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane have been joined on the sideline this week by David Silva and Ederson in a huge double blow to Guardiola. However, if there’s one team that can cope with an injury crisis, it is this City side with their immense strength in depth.
Predicted Starting XIs
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Manchester City (4-3-3): Bravo; Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy; Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
Scoreline Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City
With little to pick between the two sides, if ever home advantage was to be a telling factor it will be at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Guardiola will remember the impact of the crowd during the 2018 Champions League Quarter-Final fixture at Anfield when underdogs Liverpool were emboldened by the raucous Anfield crowd on their way to a 3-0 victory. It will be a tighter affair this time around, but given City’s injuries and Liverpool’s home advantage, I back Liverpool as favourites – just.
