Manchester City vs Liverpool match preview: Line-ups, Head-to-head, predictions
Key Players
Manchester City and Liverpool has been a clash of the ages since the two famous tactical masterminds of English football, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are at helm.
Be it in the Premier League, or in the Carabao Cup, this clash of the heavyweights always keeps fans and supporters on their feet. Both are equally competent and is capable of outscoring each other.
This Saturday, they will meet again as Klopp’s men travel to Etihad stadium to face City, which indeed will be a tough game for the former champions as they are reeling on sixth position, and on the verge of not qualifying for European top-flight UEFA Champions League the next season.
Clash of the ages
Defending champions Manchester City face a rare situation where they are eight points behind leaders Arsenal, who are having a dream run this season and on the verge of winning the league, almost after twenty years. Although City has played a game less than the “Gunners”, they would like to cut the deficit to five points when they play the “Reds”, in front of the packed Etihad.
On the other hand, Liverpool are in a critical situation where they are on the sixth spot, behind Newcastle United. They have a mere 42 points from the 26 matches played, and might not get a direct qualification for Champions League next season.
However, if they manage to win this away game against the “Sky Blues”, they would bridge the gap with the Magpies, and if the latter falters against Manchester United a day later, an European qualification could be ensured for Liverpool. In their previous meeting, the “Reds” managed to emerge victorious, owing to a goal in the 76th minute by the Egyptian wizard Mohammed Salah.
Manchester City team news
Manchester City have been in a roller-coaster this season, scoring goals galore for fun, owing to some top class performance by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who is currently on the brink of winning the Golden Boot, as he has already hit the back of the net 28 times in 26 fixtures, and well on course to break the all-time highest goalscoring record of 34 in a season, currently held jointly by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.
Key Players:
Key players for City this season has been Haaland, without any doubt, but some other top performers are De Bruyne, Mahrez among others. All eyes will be on Haaland as he was in a red-hot form prior to the international break. If Manchester CIty can still win the League, Haaland could be the driving force.
Injuries and suspensions:
It has been reported that Phil Foden has undergone surgery for acute appendicitis in London and is expected to miss the heavyweight clash, which could be a headache for Guardiola as Foden has been remarkable this season.
Predicted Line-up:
With all the first team players available, Pep will be tempted to go with an all-out attack mentality with his top players. Although he is a master of dominating possession, he would like to hold the ball play in the midfield with the deadly trio of Mahrez, Gundogan and De Bruyne , and passing the ball to strikers Haaland and Julian Alvarez. In the back, defensive responsibilities lie on the hands of Walker, Ruben Dias, Laporte, with Ederson on the goal.
As Pep’s team is chasing the title , he is expected to go for an outright attack from the whistle, so Liverpool defenders will be wary of Haaland, who comes from a five-star performance against Leipzig on a starry Champions League night.
Liverpool team news:
Although the “Reds” are in a bothering position, everyone knows what they are capable of when it comes to the business end of Premier League. They have defeated Manchester United , thrashing them by 7-0, humiliating the “Red Devils”. But after that, they have lost successive matches against Bournemouth and Real Madrid, in the Premier League and Champions League, respectively, which showcases their inconsistency that have plagued them this season.
Key players:
Salah, the Egyptian wizard will be the player to watch out for in this clash as he has been in his dream form. But, he needs support across both the flanks as Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz is expected to make a comeback in the “Clash of the Titans”. They will look to spearhead the attack in the game.
Injuries and suspensions:
Injury has been one reason which have affected Liverpool this season, with the likes of several players being sidelined, which includes Calvin Ramsay, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago.
Predicted Line-up:
Salah, who has 18 goal contributions in this season will look to start the game with positive approach, likely to be flanked by Nunez and Diaz. Midfield will boast of Gakpo, who returned to the National squad after a brief sabbatical, along with seasoned veterans Fabinho and James Milner. In the defense, it will be Konate and Van Dijk, guarding the goal, with another Brazilian Alisson to keep.
Predictions
The match, as it is named “Clash of the Titans”, will go down in the history as both of them will try to outscore each other, one team with a bid to bridge the gap, and stay in contention for another title, while another bid to enter the top four race. So, everyone will keep an eye on this match, including Arsenal.
