Sunday’s Premier League action concludes at Anfield with a blockbuster clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, and it’s time to preview the game and take a look at the expected lineups. Though it’s still early to measure the possible title ramifications, a classic top-table six-pointer will be under the spotlight.
The sides endured contrasting fortunes in midweek’s Champions League action. While Liverpool hammered Porto 5-1 at the Estadio do Dragao, Manchester City slumped at Paris Saint-Germain, falling to a 2-0 defeat in a match highlighted by Lionel Messi’s debut PSG goal and Bernardo Silva’s epic miss.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Head-to-Head
Manchester City claimed an overwhelming 4-1 victory in their most recent Premier League visit to Anfield, bringing an embarrassing 17-match winless league streak at this venue (D5, L12). The Cityzens are now aiming for back-to-back league triumphs at Anfield for the first time since January 1953.
Regardless of the outcome, we should have goal-stacked, end-to-end action on our hands, as three of the last four Premier League duels between Liverpool and City here have seen over 3.5 goals and both teams scoring. With each of those three matches featuring 2+ second-half goals, action-packed second-half football is also on the cards.
Liverpool Form Preview
Going into this round, Liverpool are the only side in the Premier League yet to lose this season in the competition (W5, D1), scoring a league-high 15 goals in the process. Delivering action from the onset, the Reds have netted at least one first-half goal in all six league outings to date, securing a half-time lead on four occasions.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s men have claimed just one victory in their last seven Premier League fixtures against reigning champions (D2, L4), courtesy of a 3-1 win over Man City of all teams at home in November 2019. They might improve that record now, as they take the field riding on an intimidating 16-game unbeaten streak in England’s top-flight (W12, D4).
Despite being held to an unexpected 3-3 away draw to the league newbies Brentford last time out, Liverpool can rely on a rock-solid backline. Indeed, they have conceded just a single goal across their remaining five Premier League games this season, with Kai Havertz connecting his header with a corner-kick delivery in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Anfield in late August.
Player to watch: Mohamed Salah
Salah has been off to a flying start this season. In addition to putting two past Porto in the abovementioned Champions League victory, the Egyptian superstar has tallied five goals and a pair of assists in the Premier League so far.
Despite Man City’s defensive prowess, Salah has racked up four goals and two assists in his five appearances against this opposition at Anfield in all competitions.
Manchester City Form Preview
Despite going down to PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday, Manchester City can fall back on their hard-earned 1-0 victory at Chelsea last time out for confidence. Indeed, since succumbing to a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on the opening Premier League weekend, the Citizens have gone unbeaten in their subsequent five league outings (W4, D1).
Unlike some recent years, Pep Guardiola has based his side’s success on a water-tight defense that has kept five consecutive Premier League clean sheets. City’s record of just one goal conceded in England’s top-flight is second to none this season, with the reigning champions preventing their opponents from attempting a single shot on target in three of their last five league matches.
However, Guardiola faces a formidable challenge in the shape of Klopp, who has inflicted more competitive defeats on his Spanish counterpart (eight) than any other manager. Of all the Premier League sides he has met 10+ times in the competition, the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich strategist laments the worst win rate against Liverpool (30.8% – W4, D4, L5).
Player to Watch: Raheem Sterling
After enjoying a stunning Euro 2020 campaign, Sterling has stumbled out of the blocks on the back of club football’s return, netting just a single goal in five Premier League matches this season. However, the 26-year-old has found the net in two of his last three top-flight appearances against Liverpool.
Sterling was on the scoresheet in Man City’s most recent visit to Anfield and could become only the second-ever player to score in back-to-back league outings at this venue, having previously worn the red jersey.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Predicted Line-ups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; James Milner, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Curtis Jones; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson Moraes; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Phil Foden; Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish.