The Premier League’s great contemporary rivalry is renewed this weekend as re-emerging title hopefuls Liverpool visit Manchester City’s stomping ground at Saturday lunchtime.
This is a fixture always worth pencilling into your diaries. You can ill-afford to miss out on a Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp duel.
City’s clashes with Liverpool in the recent past have delivered in almost every regard, and Saturday should be no different with the two sides separated by just a point at the top of the Premier League table.
The Cityzens are favoured to win an unprecedented fourth-straight title this term, but an emboldened Reds look set to challenge Pep’s juggernaut once more. Klopp’s side have the chance to lay down a marker this weekend and ascend to the summit with a victory.
Here’s 90min’s preview of City’s duel with Liverpool.
Man City vs Liverpool H2H record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League |
|
United States |
Peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV |
While the injury sustained by Erling Haaland on international duty isn’t serious, his status is in doubt for Saturday’s game. However, with Julian Alvarez returning from South America ahead of this fixture, Guardiola will be particularly desperate for Haaland to get the go-ahead.
A foot injury could keep Ederson out of action this weekend, while Nathan Ake and Matheus Nunes are major doubts.
City are sure to be without Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Sergio Gomez.
Man City predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Foden, Bernardo, Grealish, Doku; Haaland.
While Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez have been recovering from knocks over the break, all are expected to be available this weekend.
Andy Robertson remains out for the long haul with Klopp likely to favour Gomez at left-back over Kostas Tsimikas.
Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic may not feature again in 2023.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
There’s plenty of doubt surrounding this fixture given City’s potential absences. However, overcoming the Cityzens at the Etihad is no mean feat. No side has beaten City on their home turf in the past year.
However, the hosts manifested their vulnerabilities at Stamford Bridge before the break and are likely to surrender chances to the mightily efficient Mohamed Salah. The visitors, though, will also cede openings to Guardiola’s side and have been fortunate to concede just seven open-play goals this season (xGA is 10.75).
This could be a topsy-turvy bout with goals at both ends, but you can’t bet against City at the Etihad.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Liverpool
READ MORE BUILD-UP TO MANCHESTER CITY VS LIVERPOOL
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
90Mins
