Manchester City begin their 2019-20 season with the Community Shield this Sunday when they face off against Liverpool. City will hope to have another good domestic season, after completing a domestic quadruple last year, winning the league, League Cup, FA Cup along with the Community Shield.
They pipped their opponents, Liverpool, by a single point in the Premier League last season in what was an enthralling league season from start to finish. City will be without several players due to injury, and lack of match fitness with a number of players returning late to training after playing for their countries at the Copa America and African Cup of Nations, much like their opponents Liverpool.
Let’s take a look at 3 Manchester City players who will be key vs Liverpool:
Raheem Sterling
Manchester City are likely to miss their talisman and record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who has just returned to training yet following his exploits for Argentina at Copa America, which means that manager Pep Guardiola might have to play Raheem Sterling as the striker.
The English forward has played in that position over the pre-season and is set to continue playing there as Manchester City do not have any other strikers available for them at the moment as Aguero’s back-up Gabriel Jesus is also unlikely to be match-fit.
Sterling had a phenomenal 2018-19 season, scoring 25 goals and 18 assists in all competitions and will be key for the Cityzens against Liverpool on Sunday.
Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne had a difficult 2018-19 season, starting just 11 games for Manchester City due to injuries, but will hope to have a better 2019-20 campaign, starting with the Community Shield. The Belgian midfielder has been a very important player for Manchester City over the last few seasons and could be a key player for City against Liverpool, who have a strong midfield.
de Bruyne will go up against the likes of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabinho on Sunday, and his vision, passing and movement will be vital for a Manchester City win. He will have to join in the attack and play close to Sterling upfront.
Kyle Walker
Moving Raheem Sterling upfront and the absence of Riyad Mahrez will mean that Manchester City do not have width out wide on the right, which will be an area where right-back Kyle Walker will have to cover and attack into. Bernardo Silva will most likely play on the right side for City, but he’s a wide player who likes to cut in and have an impact in the centre rather than out wide.
Walker will have to make overlapping runs on the right, while also ensuring that he doesn’t leave space for Liverpool’s impressive left-back Andy Robertson to attack into.
