In what will be a historic game for both teams involved, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City travel to Anfield this Wednesday for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season, to take on Liverpool, five-time champions of the European competition. Liverpool will host their first ever QF tie in more than nine years and will believe that they have what it takes to beat City over two legs.
The Reds are the only team to beat City in the league, but lost 5-0 at the Etihad and will desperately need the advantage to take to the second leg, more so with the Merseyside derby sandwiched between the two legs.
Fresh from a victory against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Liverpool will rely on the atmosphere at Anfield to give them an advantage in the first leg but City do not look like slowing down and thrashed Everton at the weekend, picking up some rhythm before this crunch tie.
It is just the second QF appearance in the Champions League for City but they have been one of the best teams in Europe and will not be easy to beat. But Liverpool remain unbeaten in the competition and will not cede easily.
It is a clash between two similar footballing identities, which produced 12 goals in the last two meetings in the league this season. This game promises to deliver more of the same and here is the team news and predicted lineups for both sides, along with the predictions and betting odds.
Team News:
Liverpool:
The Reds will miss the service of Adam Lallana, who picked up an injury in the game against Palace. Emre Can is suffering from a back strain and might not be available for this tie while Joe Gomez remains the only other injury issue for the Reds ahead of this game,
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Karius; Robertson, Matip, Van Dijk, Alexandre-Arnold; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Salah, Firmino
Manchester City:
The Citizens have no new injury issues to worry about ahead of this game. Defenders Aymeric Laporte and John Stones are suffering from niggles and the latter is unlikely to make the squad. Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy are ruled out but Sergio Aguero is back in training and will at least make it to the bench.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo; Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne; Sterling, Sane, Jesus
Betting Odds:
Liverpool – 2/1
Draw – 13/5
Manchester City – 7/5
Predictions:
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
