Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in what will be one of the most anticipated matches of the year. Manchester City was running dominant just two years ago, when Liverpool stepped up and became worthy challengers. One must only remember the nerve-biting finale of the 2018/19 Premier League season as both of them went on a 14 match unbeaten streak. Till the end of the season there was only one point separating City from second placed Liverpool. The former won the league when their captain Vincent Kompany unleashed a ferocious shot against Leicester City that turned into a goal. After that it was just formality against Brighton and Hove Albion.
There was no other thrilling Premier League finish like that. In fact that season could rival the 2011/12 season when Aguero scored a last minute goal against QPR to win the title for Manchester City.
Liverpool agonisingly finished one point behind City with 97 points. The very next season the former went on to win the season with an 18 point difference. They also became the fastest team to wrap up the league win with seven games to spare and breaking the record of five set by the Manchester teams.
Goals have never been in shortage in these fixtures as the last three meetings between these sides have resulted in 11 goals. We can expect yet another goal fest as Liverpool is without Virgil Van Dijk, but are lethal in attack now. Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are all in white-hot form and will be raring to go again. This is a match which may very well decide who will go on to win the trophy this year.
Injuries
Liverpool: Virgil Van Dijk, Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Fabinho
Manchester City- Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester City: Ederson (GK), Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Eric Garcia, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Ferran Torres
Liverpool: Alisson (GK), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
Prediction
This match is most likely to end in a 2-2 draw as both Manchester City and Liverpool are in terrific form. Ferran Torres is excelling as striker while Diogo Jota has calmly slotted into Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp will most likely go for Roberto Firmino in order to press Manchester City as they play from the back. Diogo Jota will most likely be used as an impact substitute.
Also read: Leicester v Wolves Preview
