Manchester City vs Liverpool
Date: 03/01/2019
K/O: 20:00
Venue: Etihad Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Two Premier League juggernauts go head to head on Thursday night in a match which could define the entire season. Manchester City are currently seven points off the summit after 20 games played, a gap which could extend to 10 if they are turned over in front of their own crowd. The Citizens are in desperate need of a win to keep their hopes alive of a second successive Premier League title.
Liverpool go into this meeting on a run of nine wins in a row whilst Man City recovered from recent losses against Crystal Palace and Leicester by beating Southampton 3-1 at St Mary’s.
Looking over the football schedule on Thursday, there isn’t much to look at with a few games in Portugal and a game in Spain so this truly is a spectacle which will be watched across the globe. It doesn’t matter whether you live in the north-west or whether you live in Europe, there will be so much interest in this one and I’m sure it will live up to some form of expectation in an end to end match where each side takes turns to break the other. The winners of this tie will define the remainder of the league season; either the gap closes and we have an intriguing title clash on our hands or Liverpool extend their lead to 10 and bring everything into their own hands with 17 games to go.
In the first meeting between the two sides this season, an underwhelming 0-0 was the story at Anfield. However, this was not the main talking point and some say Mahrez’s penalty is still rising. His 86th minute penalty miss could have seen the gap that we see today, much shorter.
Both managers are already in disagreement but not how you think. Guardiola claims Liverpool are currently the best team in Europe whilst Klopp echoed this statement by stating the same about Manchester City. In my opinion, both are probably right and these two sides are right up there at the top of Europe’s illustrious.
Opta Match Facts
Liverpool have only won one of their last nine Premier League matches at the Etihad Stadium, drawing three and losing the remaining five which doesn’t bode well for the Reds. However, Man City have won just one of their last 11 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions, drawing three and losing seven. The win for Man City was a thumping 5-0 in a match which saw Mane sent off early in the first half. Liverpool’s only win at the Etihad was Klopp’s first away visit to the Etihad where his side won 4-1.
Klopp seems to be Guardiola’s kryptonite as he is the manager who the Spaniard has lost most to (seven) than any other person in his managerial career.
Guardiola has never lost consecutive home league games in his entire career which of course spans across managing Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City over the last 10 years.
Fernandinho is a huge boost for City, without him they win 64.3% of games but with him, that rises to 74.1%.
Look away City fans but no team has ever thrown away a seven-point lead coming into January and have all gone on to lift the Premier League trophy.
Team News
Manchester City: The Citizens could be boosted by the return of De Bruyne who missed Sunday’s victory with a muscle injury. He is expected to have a late fitness test after returning to training. Delph remains suspended and with Mendy a long-term absentee, Zinchenko will most likely keep his place in the back four. Bravo is also missing long-term but Guardiola should have Gundogan in the matchday squad and available.
Liverpool: The Reds have been given a boost ahead of the game with news circulating that they may have Milner back and available. The influential midfielder has missed three of the last four fixtures through injury. A fractured leg is keeping Gomez side-lined and Matip is still suffering from a broken collarbone. Solanke should also be unavailable as transfer speculation rises with a loan move away from Liverpool for the remainder of the season. Oxlade-Chamberlain is a month or so away from return which will be a huge boost in Liverpool’s title charge.
Predicted Starting XIs
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompnay, Laporte, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva; Sane, Aguero, Sterling
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner; Firmino, Salah, Mane
Score Prediction: Manchester City 2 Liverpool 2
Honestly, this has a draw written all over it for me and I can see a very free-flowing game with both sides canceling each other’s attacking returns out. Man City must set up to attack and win but Liverpool will set up the same way. The Reds cannot expect to turn up and play for a draw here so they must do their part and push forward too. This result won’t be ideal for the Citizens at all and this could be the final setback Liverpool need to run away with it.
