Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield in a blockbuster Super Sunday clash.
Victory will see Liverpool climb to eighth in the table, whereas a win would see Man City go top if Arsenal slip up at Leeds in a mid-afternoon kick-off.
Team News
Curtis Jones could return for Liverpool after recovering from a lengthy leg injury.
Ibrahima Konate (muscle) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle) are doubts but Joel Matip (calf), Luis Diaz (knee), Arthur Melo (muscle), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring) and Naby Keita (unspecified) remain absent.
Man City could welcome Erling Haaland back into contention after he missed their midweek goalless draw in Champions League away to Copenhagen due to fatigue.
John Stones (hamstring), Kyle Walker (groin) and Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool are winless in their last five league meetings against Manchester City (D3, L2).
- Man City have won just one of their last five trips to Anfield (W1, D2, L2).
- City’s Kevin De Bruyne scored in both 2-2 draws against Liverpool in the Premier League last season.
- Roberto Firmino has scored five goals in Liverpool’s last three league matches at home this season.
- Five of Erling Haaland’s 15 league goals this season were scored away from home, of which three of those five goals were scored after half-time.
Prediction
Having now overcome their shaky start to the season, Liverpool’s main concern lies within their defence because they do remain quite leaky, which is a real worry coming into this fixture against a Man City team containing a well-rested Erling Haaland.
Jurgen Klopp though will be relieved to know that his attack finally seem to have found their firepower after a ruthless comeback at Rangers in midweek, although they will have to be at their very best to stand any chance of breaching City’s stubborn defence.
Speaking of City, Pep Guardiola surprisingly made a fair few changes for their unexpected goalless draw against Copenhagen in midweek, yet they were still dominant even when reduced to 10 men so will know that they can perform here even if there is a red card.
All eyes though surely will be on Liverpool’s defence to see how they handle City’s intensity now their visitors have the better momentum, compared to their Community Shield clash at end of pre-season because if they’re as sloppy as they have been then I can see just one outcome.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-3 Manchester City
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