Liverpool look to continue their winning streak against title-rivals Manchester City

Five back-to-back wins for Liverpool will give them confidence going into arguably their hardest game of the season, Manchester City away.

A visit to the Etihad Stadium hasn’t been Liverpool’s strongest fixture in recent times. The Reds have lost their last three Premier League outings at Manchester City’s home stadium.

Liverpool were given a guard of honour the last time the sides faced each other at the Etihad Stadium in June. However, their 4-0 loss on the day wasn’t one you’d associate with a title-winning side.

The game was frankly embarrassing for the Reds, as their defence was ripped into pieces by the likes of Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, and Kevin De Bruyne.

The Reds’ current defensive form should give them confidence going into Sunday’s blockbuster clash, as they have conceded only two goals in the last five games across all competitions.

Despite Virgil Van Dijk’s ACL injury and Fabinho’s subsequent hamstring injury, the makeshift back-line has coped well enough. Experienced defender, Joel Matip’s return to training is sure to boost the Reds’ chances of keeping it tight at the back.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp spoke of using Matip as an option.

“Joel is back and he has had 7/8/9 days training which helps a lot – after the game, there is another 14 days training as well. We will see what we will do.”

Apart from Matip, Naby Keita will also be available for selection, as the Guinean midfielder did come on as a substitute in Liverpool’s midweek rout over Atalanta. However, Thiago will not be ready, as he hasn’t returned to full team training yet.

The Citizens, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of striker, Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian came off the bench in the Champions League tie against Olympiakos and wasted no time getting his name on to the scoresheet.

Neither side can afford to take the game lightly, as it has previously been a title-deciding game in the 2018/19 campaign when John Stones’ goal-line clearance effectively decided the difference in points between the teams.

Both managers have made it clear that the opposite side will be ruthless, and that there is very little room for error in a game where the top two footballing sides in the country come up against each other.

Pep Guardiola said, “When you play against teams like Liverpool you always have moments where you have to suffer.”

Jurgen Klopp said, “Manchester City at the Etihad is the most difficult game of the year. They are a sensational team.”

A win for Liverpool will take them top of the pack, whereas if City secure all three points they will displace Everton to take them into 6th place with a game in hand.

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