Manchester City are currently preparing for their biggest test of the season. An away game at Anfield.
Liverpool and City are tied on points with the champions ahead on goal difference. Klopp’s enthusiasm and method has finally been backed by funds in England and it would seem that the Reds are well on their way to something special. But Klopp knows he has to win trophies. Yes, he stresses on the importance of the manner of playing football and enjoying the process but a club like Liverpool need trophies and the fans believe Klopp is the man to finally deliver.
Coming back to City, Pep and his boys have gone under the radar this season simply because of the fact that they are expected to turn up and go through Pep’s minutely drilled and oiled machinery and churn out the 3 points every week. Well, it certainly isn’t that easy and as we have seen since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, teams have defended their titles miserably. So, kudos to the Sky Blues who have started in fantastic fashion this season with the hunger and the joy of playing still intact.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP VS LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
TEAM NEWS
Pep delivered a couple of stunning news in his press conference hinting at involvement for both Mendy and De Bruyne. The Belgian was touted to return in November but has joined training and will make the bench at the very least. Delph is the only absentee with Gundogan set to be assessed before the match. Bravo and Mangala are out for the long-term.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP VS LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson will start in goal. He hasn’t covered himself in glory in the games against Liverpool but with Alisson at the opposite end of the pitch, there will be a quiet undercurrent of fierce competition flowing through the pitch(!)
Kyle Walker will start as the right back if Pep opts for a conventional back four. Aymeric Laporte is a nailed-on starter at centre-back but might find John Stones stationed alongside him in place of Otamendi.
There is a fair amount of speculation regarding the left-back spot but we believe Benjamin Mendy will be handed a start.
MIDFIELD
Pep is likely to opt for a 3-man midfield. Fernandinho will sit at the base while Bernardo Silva and David Silva are likely to flank him on either side. The Spaniard was stupendous in the win against Hoffenheim and will look to replicate that display while B.Silva will look to use his boxful of tricks and flicks to create space in midfield.
ATTACK
We anticipate a slight tweak in terms of positions in the 3-man attack. With Mendy in the team, Pep might shift Sane onto the right and use both Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane as inverted wingers.
Sergio Aguero will lead the line and will hope to fire City to a first league win in 15 years at Anfield.
EDERSON
WALKER- STONES- LAPORTE- MENDY
B.SILVA- FERNANDINHO- D.SILVA
SANE- AGUERO- STERLING