Manchester City will host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday in a crucial Premier League encounter. Both sides are desperate for a win as they aim to keep pace with league leaders Arsenal, who could extend their lead before kickoff.
- Match: Manchester City vs Liverpool
- Competition: English Premier League
- Date & Time: Sunday, 4:30pm (16:30 GMT)
- Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Coverage: Al Jazeera Sport pre-match build-up from 13:30 GMT
Title Race Implications
While City and Liverpool have dominated recent Premier League title races, Sunday’s clash is more about determining which club can mount a serious challenge against Arsenal.
Arsenal, who face Sunderland on Saturday, could be 10 points clear of Liverpool and nine ahead of City by kickoff, adding extra pressure on both teams ahead of the international break.
Recent Form
Manchester City
City have lost just once in their last 13 games across all competitions. Their recent 4-1 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund saw Erling Haaland score his 18th club goal of the season, with Phil Foden impressing with a brace.
Pep Guardiola emphasized Foden’s return to form:
“Phil is back. How many times have we seen Phil score these types of goals? We missed this last season, but this season I think he is going to help us a lot.”
Liverpool
Liverpool have recovered from a poor run of form, winning their last two games against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. Captain Virgil van Dijk stressed the importance of defensive stability:
“You can see at the moment Arsenal are flying, and it is down to clean sheets and not conceding chances. We have to keep going. Sunday is going to be another difficult one.”
Manager Arne Slot described the City match as akin to a ‘Clasico’, focusing on Guardiola’s tactics rather than league position:
“What I like about Pep Guardiola’s teams is that 10 out of 10 times you get a great game of football, no time wasting or delays.”
Head-to-Head Record
Liverpool historically have the upper hand, winning 110 of the 218 encounters, while City have won 60, and 58 ended in draws. Last season, Liverpool completed a league double over City, including a 2-0 Etihad victory that helped them challenge for the title.
City’s most recent win over Liverpool came in April 2023, a 4-1 home victory.
Team News
Manchester City
Guardiola has a fully-fit squad, with Rodri returning to form a double-pivot with Nico Gonzalez. Left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has recovered, but Nico O’Reilly may retain his spot to counter Mohamed Salah.
Predicted Starting XI:
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Gonzalez; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Liverpool
Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains injured, with Giorgi Mamardashvili starting in his place. Alexander Isak may be fit but is unlikely to start, while Curtis Jones has returned to training. Right-back Conor Bradley impressed against Real Madrid and is expected to retain his position.
Predicted Starting XI:
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Key Battles
- Haaland vs Van Dijk: City’s striker faces Liverpool’s defensive wall, a classic title-race showdown.
- Foden’s resurgence: Can the English forward replicate his Champions League form in the Premier League?
- Midfield control: Rodri and Gonzalez vs Gravenberch and Mac Allister could determine possession dominance.
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