Manchester City against Liverpool was the Premier League’s flagship game just a couple of years ago, with two titans at the top of their game battling for the top spot. There was just one point between the sides at the peak of this rivalry in 2019, with Jurgen Klopp’s men coming out on top the following year to win their first Premier League title.
These days though it’s a rivalry that City have dominated, with Liverpool only winning two of 10 games in this fixture since the turn of the decade. With just one point between the sides at this current moment, will Saturday be the day Liverpool show the land that they are back and mean business? After all, a win for the visitors would see the Reds climb above City and into the top spot…
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Etihad plays host to England’s current top two, with Pep Guardiola’s men aiming to grab their seventh win in eight, a victory that would stave off the concerns that came last month when they lost three in four. They will be hoping for a reaction from dropping two points at Stamford Bridge in that infamous 4-4 draw with Chelsea.
Those above-mentioned losses came in the absence of midfield powerhouse Rodri. The Spanish international has started 19 games this season for club and country, winning 18 of them, further emphasising his importance to both Man City and Spain. Guardiola will be content that concerns about his fitness were eradicated after his inclusion in Spain’s win over Georgia, after missing the previous fixture with Cyprus.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, Manchester City could be without star striker Erling Haaland, who picked up a knock whilst on international duty for Norway. Brazilian international Ederson could also miss the game, after withdrawing from Brazil’s camp with a foot injury, with Nathan Ake also doubtful and Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones remaining on the sidelines.
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool themselves come into the game with slightly less injury woes, with Andy Robertson and Thiago the only guaranteed absentees for the Reds. Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are also doubtful, but the trio all seem to be past injuries that kept them out of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brentford.
With only one defeat thus far, Liverpool has quietly gone under the radar this season, with the surprise emergence of Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs rather overshadowing the Reds impressive start. That defeat came against Spurs, a game Liverpool came out from with credit on the back of Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal and their spirited performance with nine men.
They will be confident in their bid to become the first team to make City drop points at home this season, with star man Mo Salah in fine form: 10 goals and 4 assists in the league this season for the winger. The Egyptian has 11 goal contributions in 19 games against City, fresh from scoring four goals in one game on international duty.
Embed from Getty ImagesVirgil van Dijk has also been in the headlines pre-match, with the famous stat that he wasn’t dribbled past at all in the 2018/19 season resurfacing, with the same being said so far this campaign. Liverpool’s skipper also has the highest duel and aerial duel success rate (source Sky Sports) of any of his last five seasons, his form integral to Klopp’s side’s success in this fixture.
While you can never back the early kick-off, this one has all the ingredients for a belter, with Manchester City aiming to open up a four-point lead at the summit of the table; Liverpool is surely confident in their attacking play, their chances and morale boosted should a certain ponytailed striker be sidelined.
City will be too strong at home, could be wrong