Liverpool face Manchester City in Goliath encounter

In what potentially is the game of the season so far, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds face Pep Guardiola and Manchester City at Anfield.

A fixture. Is it? Is it just that?

Many people are hyping this up to be the so-called ‘title-decider’ although the fixture is in November. Although it isn’t a decider, it could be a serial impactor.

Both sides have had good starts to the season. Of course they have, but its the home side who have shone above their North-West neighbours.

Ten wins out of 11, with the only blemish a point at Old Trafford. Fight, grit, and determination are personified in this Liverpool team.

Those wouldn’t be the words you’d synonymise Manchester City with. Panache, style and ruthlessness. But with City dropping points already to the likes of Wolves and Norwich, the door is as open as it’s ever been for Liverpool to really ram home an advantage.

But football isn’t as simple as that, is it?

With a six point lead, and an unbeaten record at home which stretches back to 2017, surely the cards are in Liverpool’s control. A win takes them nine clear, three wins. A loss takes Manchester City three points away. A pendulum which could impact both psyches for the rest of the season.

Team news

City have considerably more injury problems than the Reds as it seems, with Ederson Moraes expected to have not recovered from his muscular injury in the week. With David Silva, Olexandr Zinchenko, Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte also thought to be out, it could be a tough trip for the side in Blue.

After missing training earlier in the week, captain Jordan Henderson and key centre-back Virgil van Dijk are fit to face Guardiola’s men. Xherdan Shaqiri, and Nathaniel Clyne are all out for a considerable period.

Klopp urges for Anfield collectiveness:

“From a sport’s point of view this rivalry is getting bigger and bigger. Thank god there is a rivalry because it means we are a pretty good team as well.

“If you are not brave against Man City you don’t have the chance of even a point.

“Everyone has to be in top shape in the stadium on Sunday, even the guy selling the hotdogs. Everyone has to be there from the warm-up and invest all our emotions.”

Guardiola asks for ‘fight’:

“I just want my team to fight to the end. Liverpool are a team that lost one game last season, none this season, so you cannot believe that they will lose many, but the season is long.

“They do everything well. You see the team, what is the weak point? They are a real complete team and we need this kind of rival.”

Head-to-head

Liverpool wins: 1o4

Draws: 53

Manchester City wins: 56