Summary
Man City will host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, with only one point separating the two title rivals ahead of their meeting at the Etihad Stadium. Man City have won their last two meetings against Liverpool.
The match will begin at 17:30 Central European Time (CLT).
Is this the game that determines who wins the Premier League title?
Pep Guardiola, for one, believes this to be true. “It’s as simple as that,” the manager of the City admitted. “I’m hoping Liverpool will lose to us, but aside from that, I don’t think they will lose any points.” We must be aware of the pressure and be able to deal with it. It’s something we’ve done in the past. We won 14 games in a row, and now we need to win eight more games to complete the season. We will not be champions if we do not do so.”
The fact that these two teams have battled for the trophy is not a new development in the sport.
News from the team
However, the most concerning injury news coming out of the Man City camp is the continued absence of center-back Ruben Dias, who is making his way back from his hamstring injury but will not be ready in time for Sunday’s match.
Guardiola will be pleased to see Kyle Walker return from his Champions League ban after a lengthy absence due to an ankle injury. Youngster Cole Palmer is also out with an ankle injury but was never in contention to start this game.
Walker could return to the right-hand side as Joao Cancelo shifts back over to the left in place of Nathan Ake – who had a strong performance against Atletico – and John Stones will provide cover for Dias alongside Aymeric Laporte, according to the club’s official website.
As a result of Foden’s impressive performance off the bench against Atletico, Pep Guardiola may consider recalling the 21-year-old, who could be joined on the pitch by Riyad Mahrez and ex-Red Raheem Sterling in this match.
Meanwhile, Liverpool welcomed Trent Alexander-Arnold back from a hamstring injury much sooner than had been anticipated, and Naby Keita recovered from a knee injury to play 89 minutes against Benfica in the Champions League.
A cut to the head forced Fabinho off the field in that game, but there was no sign of a concussion, and Klopp stated at his post-match press conference that he expects to have everyone fit and available for the top-of-the-table showdown with Manchester City on Sunday.
Konate put in an impressive performance at the Estadio da Luz before being held responsible for Nunez’s effort. He will almost certainly be replaced by Joel Matip, while Alexander-Arnold should be fit enough to make another start on the right flank.
Liverpool is welcomed by Manchester City in the Premier League
The Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson was also among the substitutes for the win over Benfica, but he will expect to be called back into the team over Keita – although he will not be walking back into the side – and Klopp is in something of a quandary in attack.
Since returning from the international break, Mohamed Salah has struggled to find the net, but Klopp is unlikely to bench the Egyptian for this game, leaving Mane, Diaz, Jota, and Firmino to battle it out for the final two attacking spots.
Due to the fact that this weekend’s game is more important than the second leg against Benfica, and given the fact that Liverpool currently hold a two-goal advantage in that tie, Klopp may opt to name an unchanged frontline, with Diaz and Mane combining with Salah.
What is the best way to watch the game?
The game will be broadcast live on the Bein Sports network.
The following is a possible Man City starting lineup:
David Silva (Ederson); Walker (Stones), Laporte (Cancelo); Silva (Rodri); De Bruyne (Silva); Mahrez (Foden); Sterling (Sterling)