Liverpool welcome Premier League leaders Man City to Anfield on Sunday looking to keep their unbeaten run going, while ending their opponents’.
Liverpool vs. Man City
January 14, 2018 — 4pm (GMT)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Andre Marriner
Jurgen Klopp‘s side have had a very welcome eight-day break after seeing off Everton in the FA Cup third round, following a very busy Christmas period.
They find themselves in very good form, having not lost in their last 17 matches, suffering defeat just once in their last 23.
Philippe Coutinho‘s exit to Barcelona is an undoubted blow, but this is a team capable of doing special things without him.
A very impressive City outfit visit Anfield with a 15-point lead at the top of the table, and just four points dropped all season.
It is gearing up to be one of the all-time great league campaigns by any English side, but Liverpool have the ability to end their unbeaten run.
This should be an enthralling 90 minutes, with Klopp and Guardiola famed for their attacking football, and some superb players on show.
The likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino can wreak havoc at one end, while Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero are a frightening quintet at the other.
The Reds’ new hero and record signing, Virgil van Dijk, couldn’t have asked for a harder game to make his league debut.
This really is a contest that could have any possible outcome, and for Liverpool a win would be their most significant of the season.
Expect another action-packed, quality-laden match involving the Reds.
Last Meeting: Man City 5-0 Liverpool
Team News
Liverpool have received a major boost with the news that Salah is fit again, having missed the wins against Burnley and Everton.
With Coutinho gone, there will be even more pressure on the Egyptian to perform, as he looks to add to his wonderful tally of 23 goals this season.
Nathaniel Clyne and Jordan Henderson are both still absent, while Alberto Moreno is not set to feature despite returning to training this week, but Daniel Sturridge could be involved.
Simon Mignolet is expected to return in goal, after Loris Karius played in the FA Cup, while Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Van Dijk and Andrew Robertson should be the first-choice back four.
Van Dijk will be looking for another memorable performance, having shone on his debut last Friday, even prior to his match-winning header.
Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum will be joined by either James Milner, Adam Lallana or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield—you could make an argument for any of the three starting, but the latter is favourite to start.
The front three picks itself, with Salah hoping to link up with Mane and Firmino to devastating effect.
City’s only notable absentees are Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus, both of whom will likely be missing until the spring. Silva should return, with Ilkay Gundogan the player likely to make way.
Last 5 at Home to Man City (All Competitions)
Liverpool 1-0 Man City – December 31, 2016 (Wijnaldum)
Liverpool 3-0 Man City – March 2, 2016 (Lallana, Milner, Firmino)
Liverpool 2-1 Man City – March 1, 2015 (Henderson, Coutinho; Dzeko)
Liverpool 3-2 Man City – April 13, 2014 (Sterling, Skrtel, Coutinho; Silva, Johnson OG)
Liverpool 2-2 Man City – August 26, 2012 (Skrtel, Suarez; Toure, Tevez)
Did You Know?
Incredibly, City have won on just one of their last 29 trips to Anfield—a 2-1 win in May 2003, when Nicolas Anelka’s late winner proved fatal in Liverpool’s quest for Champions League football.
Are the league leaders due a victory there? Or will the Reds inflict more pain on them?
Form
Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 2-1 vs. Everton
Won 2-1 vs. Burnley
Won 2-1 vs. Leicester
Won 5-0 vs. Swansea
Drew 3-3 vs. Arsenal
Man City – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 4-1 vs. Burnley
Won 3-1 vs. Watford
Drew 0-0 vs. Crystal Palace
Won 1-0 vs. Newcastle
Won 4-0 vs. Bournemouth
Klopp’s View
Speaking at Melwood on Friday, Klopp spoke of the respect he has for City this season:
“You can go through the whole team! They’re obviously having a good season,” Klopp said.
“It’s a big game. We played there a few months ago, and it was one of the stranger games in my life.
“We were the slightly better side, slightly better chances, open game, nice game, and then….we had the red card which changed the game, and maybe for Man City the season?
“They were not too bad before that, but after it was like ‘ah, we are really good!’
“In a football way, we should try to clarify something. They have had a fantastic season, our season is not too bad, but in a game like this you must show that you can cause them problems, more problems than other teams can do.
“We must make their life difficult, and try to win. It’s Anfield, and we should show that. I’m really looking forward to the game, to be honest!”
TV & Live Blog Info
The match is live on Sky Sports Main Event from 3.30pm (GMT), with kickoff at 4pm.
Our matchday live blog will be available from 3.15pm, with Chris Williams in charge of talking you through events on what is likely to be a thrilling afternoon at Anfield.
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