EPL: 5 things you should know about Liverpool vs Man City
Liverpool vs Man City at Anfield on Sunday, in what is the biggest match of the season to date. Liverpool thrashed Porto 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, acting as a perfect response after the 3-3 draw away to Brentford.
This weekend sees a far bigger test come their way, however, with reigning Premier League champions City taking on Jurgen Klopp‘s men.
Here are 5 things you should do about Liverpool vs Man City.
1. Strong start from Man City
Man City were the bookies’ favorites to win the title going into the new season and that hasn’t changed after six games.
That being said, Pep Guardiola’s men have shown flaws, losing at Tottenham on the opening weekend and dropping points at home to Southampton.
Last weekend’s gritty 1-0 win at Chelsea was a major statement of intent, though, and they now sit one point behind Liverpool. On Sunday will tell us much more about both sides.
2. Grealish making his mark
Harry Kane may not have ended up joining City in a big-money move this summer, but Jack Grealish did.
The £100 million price tag was certainly an eye-opener, but the early signs suggest he will be a superb signing.
Grealish has two goals and assists apiece to his name already he has a level of confidence and swagger that means he won’t be daunted at Anfield, where his likely match-up against James Milner will be a big focus.
3. Liverpool’s injuries & likely starting XI
Klopp will again be without the services of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the right-back suffering from a groin issue.
Midfield pair Thiago and Harvey Elliott are also absent, but otherwise, Liverpool has a full squad to choose from.
James Milner is expected to be at right-back, while Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson should also continue in the defence.
Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Curtis Jones look like the most go-to midfield-three currently, although fit-again Naby Keita is an option, too.
Meanwhile, Klopp has to choose between Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino in the attack.
Likely Liverpool XI: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Salah, Mane, Jota.
4. Reds change of system?
Klopp has hinted that he could switch his system around, however, arguably suggesting that a 4-2-3-1 could come into effect:
“We could change the system, there are quite a few things and we have time to train this week.
“There are a lot of things possible.”
5. Predicting Man City’s team
Guardiola has a formidable squad at his disposal, being afforded the kind of riches that most managers can only dream of. For that reason, it is never easy second-guessing how they will line up for any game.
The team should be similar to the one that beat Chelsea, though, with Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte at center-back and Rodri being accompanied by Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in the middle of the park.
Grealish, Gabriel Jesus, and Phil Foden could make up the attack, with the latter in a false nine role and Jesus playing on the right-hand side to help out Joao Cancelo up against Mohamed Salah.
Predicted Possible Man City XI
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Jesus, Grealish, Foden.