Liverpool and Manchester City clash in a battle between the Premier League’s two main title rivals. Jurgen Klopp’s team are full of confidence having maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League. Their title credentials will be tested against current champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola knows his team have to be at their best to stop the league leaders.
Liverpool Host Title Rivals Manchester City
Fabinho Expected to Start
It’s a crucial clash at Anfield for both teams. Liverpool could go nine points clear at the top with a victory, while Manchester City are aiming to close the gap to three points. Jurgen Klopp’s team have been fantastic this season and victory here could potentially wrap up the title already. However, they will face a City side determined to not go down to their title rivals without a fight. The need is greater for City, but Liverpool will fancy they can extend their lead at the top.
Brazilian midfielder Fabinho is expected to return to the starting 11 having sat out their last Premier League game against Aston Villa. Klopp is expected to have a fully fit squad with the likes of Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson coming back into the team having sat out the Champions League win over Genk.
Jurgen Klopp Faces a Selection Dilemma in Midfield
Liverpool’s midfield three will be difficult to choose for Klopp, with many of his midfielders in good form. Fabinho will start having sat out the Villa game due to the risk of suspension. Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum have been regulars this season but Klopp could shake things up.
The reliable James Milner could come into the team. The veteran is an outstanding, hardworking midfielder who Klopp can always rely on. Should Milner come in, he will be tasked with keeping City’s attack quiet. In contrast, Klopp could include the more attack-minded Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Englishman has found form having spent most of his Liverpool career on the injury table. Oxlade-Chamberlain has four goals in five games in all competitions and he could be a game-changer in midfielder should Klopp include him. Furthermore, Naby Keita and Adam Lallana have also shown improvements in recent weeks, but expect these two to be on the bench with Klopp most likely to use more defensive-minded players to combat Manchester City’s all-out attacking team.
It isn’t just the midfield that Klopp could rotate with Liverpool’s defence struggling to keep clean sheets. Alisson has done well since returning to the team but has lacked protection in front of him. The Brazilian is yet to keep a clean sheet this season having won the golden glove in the previous season. Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will no doubt start but Dejan Lovren has been a liability in the past during big games. The Croatian struggled against Aston Villa and Klopp could bring Joe Gomez into the team. The Englishman played well against Genk and no doubt he has come into Klopp’s thoughts for Sunday’s game.
Can Liverpool Go Nine Points Clear?
It is a massive game on Sunday for both teams. Liverpool fans are dreaming of a first Premier League title. Jurgen Klopp will keep his team firmly fixed on winning the game as opposed to the consequences of success. Their mentality is outstanding, and they will give Manchester City a real game. It may not be a classic but both teams will push for the win.
Can Liverpool go nine points clear? The answer is yes, their team and fans will be right up for this. A nine-point lead in November could be insurmountable for the rest of the league. Liverpool fans are excited and expect the Anfield crowd to roar their team to victory. The title rivals in England clash and it promises to be a Sunday to remember.
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