Liverpool vs Manchester City preview
A one-point difference between two teams always means that an intense title race is going on. And when the two teams involved are Liverpool and Manchester City, the stakes go up a level more. It is because one point was the difference between the two teams at the end of the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons. With such a fine margin, Manchester City will travel to Anfield in a game where the winner will be in pole position to add another Premier League title to their kitty. Furthermore, Arsenal will also keep a keen eye as a draw in this game will present the Gunners with an opportunity to go top of the table.
Liverpool, who will be without their manager Jurgen Klopp from next season, are having one of their best seasons. After losing to Arsenal, the Reds have won four on the trot in the league with an aggregate score of 12-3. This stat becomes more impressive when we take into account the number of first-team injuries that Klopp has had to deal with. Their recent game saw them at their ruthless best as they thrashed Sparta Prague 5-1 on the road in the Europa League.
One of the team’s major achievements has been the number of youngsters who have broken into the first team. Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Bobby Clark, Kaide Gordon, James McConnell, and Jayden Danns are some of the names who have stepped up when the team needed them.
On the other hand, Manchester City are looking to repeat their treble heroics of last season. The Cityzens earned a quarter-final spot after beating Copenhagen 6-2 on aggregate. In the league, the club is on a 12-game unbeaten streak. In addition, the return of Kevin de Bruyne has given them another dimension in attack.
Another player who has massively stepped up in recent weeks is Phil Foden, who has scored six goals in six games.
Liverpool vs Manchester City predicted lineups
Liverpool lineup
Liverpool’s injury list currently includes Jayden Danns, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago, Ben Doak, and Joel Matip. Ibrahima Konate was also substituted after pulling a muscle. However, Klopp has said that it was a precautionary move, and he will be available for the City game.
Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai also made substitute appearances against Sparta Prague, which will be a major boost for the team.
Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Bradley; MacAllister, Endo, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez, Salah
Manchester City lineup
Manchester City’s injury list is small compared to Liverpool’s, with only Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish out. Nunes played in the Champions League tie against Copenhagen but was taken off after suffering a dislocated finger. Doku is expected to return for the Liverpool clash, but for the other two, the match will come too soon.
Apart from this, Pep Guardiola will have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Manchester City starting XI: Ederson; Ake, Dias, Walker; Stones, Rodri; Silva, Alvarez, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland
Liverpool vs Manchester City predictions
A look at the stats of the two teams is enough evidence to prove that on quality, this is the best game that the Premier League has to offer. Liverpool are the top team on attacking metrics like Buildup Disruption Percentage (BDP), Gegenpressing Intensity Percentage (GPI), and Passes Allowed per Defensive Actions (PPDA).
Manchester City have been equally good, being the best team in the league on Field Tilt, most shots on target, the least shots conceded, the most passes, and the highest possession.
With such impressive players on display, the game will be decided on very thin margins. While Liverpool have the Anfield home crowd backing them which can intimidate even the best of teams. However, they also do not have the services of players like Alisson and Trent Alexander Arnold.
The last time the two teams met, it ended in a 1-1 stalemate, and it could end the same way this time, too,
FootTheBall predicts a 1-1 draw.
