Liverpool host Manchester City in a proper heavyweight clash in the Premier League on Sunday (watch live, 11:30am ET on USA Network and online via NBCSports.com) at Anfield.
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These two teams have delivered games of the highest caliber in recent years as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have battled for every trophy going. With contrasting styles of play, and contrasting fortunes heading into this clash, there is so much intrigue swirling around this particular match.
Can Pep Guardiola’s side, led by red-hot Erling Haaland, stay unbeaten? Or will Klopp’s struggling and injury-hit Liverpool cause what would be considered a big shock?
Below we take a closer look at form, head-to-head info, projected lineups and a prediction for what promises to be a classic Liverpool vs Manchester City clash.
Liverpool vs Manchester City recent Premier League form
Liverpool last five fixtures - LDDWW | Last match: 3-2 defeat at Arsenal
Manchester City last five fixtures - WWWDW | Last match: 4-0 win vs Southampton
Who has more wins, Liverpool or Manchester City? (all competitions head-to-head)
Liverpool wins: 107
Manchester City wins: 58
Draws: 56
Premier League ONLY record
Liverpool wins: 21
Manchester City wins: 20
Draws: 11
Projected lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3)
----- Alisson -----
--- Gomez --- Konate --- Van Dijk --- Robertson ---
---- Henderson ---- Fabinho ---- Thiago ----
--- Salah --- Firmino --- Jota ---
With so many defensive injuries the back four pretty much picks itself and after coming off the bench in his return from injury in midweek, expect Andy Robertson to start and play at least 60 minutes with Kostas Tsimikas then coming in. Klopp could well go back to his favored 4-3-3 system for this and play a very defense-minded Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago. Up top Salah will start on the right and then it’s a tough choice between Darwin Nunez and red-hot Roberto Firmino in the central role. The latter will probably get the nod and with Luis Diaz out injured, expect Diogo Jota to start on the left as he continues to work his way back to full fitness and is looking really sharp.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
----- Ederson -----
--- Cancelo --- Akanji --- Dias --- Ake ---
----- Rodri ----- Silva -----
----- Foden ---- De Bruyne ---- Grealish ----
----- Haaland -----
City have defensive injury issues too with John Stones and Kyle Walker out. That means Joao Cancelo may move from left back to right back and Nathan Ake could slot in at left back or Sergio Gomez could start in that role. Manuel Akanji has been superb at center back and it looks like he may get the nod to start alongside Ruben Dias but it would not be surprising if Aymeric Laporte started due to his experience in this fixture. In midfield the duo of Rodri and Bernardo Silva has worked really well but Ilkay Gundogan could start. De Bruyne playing in a central attacking role with Foden and Grealish either side of him has caused chaos, as their movement behind the main man Erling Haaland is something Liverpool will struggle to contain.
Liverpool vs Manchester City prediction
Right now it is tough to predict Liverpool winning this game but there’s something about Anfield on these occasions which gets the best out of this group of players. Still, Liverpool keep giving up big chances in games and their best chance of getting anything out of this one is to attack early and often. That said, how do you stop Haaland, Foden and De Bruyne right now? I’m going for a City win in a thriller. Liverpool 2-4 Manchester City.