Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Fabinho, Robertson; Thiago Alcantara, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Manchester City:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; Bernardo, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling
The reigning champions Liverpool host the actual leaders Manchester City in a derby of the round. Usually the home advantage was a key factor in this clash. Manchester City have won just once in their last 29 league visits. That solitary triumph came in May 2003, 17 years ago. But the last home results of Liverpool are catastrophic. Anfield, also known as fortress in the last few seasons, became Liverpool weak point. The 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield now looks like a distant memory. The problems started in late December against mediocre West Bromwich. Everything looks "normal" when Sadio Mane scored in the first half, however the guests managed to equalize in the second. The next three home matches were awful. The draw with Manchester United could somehow be swallowed, but the defeats to Burnley and Brighton are unacceptable. The Reds are now in danger to lose three home league games in a row for the first time since 1963. Scoring at home become the biggest problem, although Salah, Firmino and Mane are all known as "scoring machines". Nevertheless, they are still yet to find the back of the net at Anfield in 2021 - a run of 348 minutes without a goal. Klopp has lot of injury worries ahead of the derby. All three recognized centre-backs - Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip - are out injured. The new acquisition Ozan Kabak, who came from Schalke, could make his debut after getting international clearance. Ben Davies, who came from Preston, is also available. Diogo Jota remains out injured, while goalkeeper Alisson Becker should start after recovering from illness. Fabinho, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are rated as doubtful.
Manchester City are the leaders on the table with 47 points. The Citizens are in excellent form, they have won nine in a row in the Premier League. Guardiola will be looking to continue the successful series against the biggest rivals in the last few seasons, Liverpool. City didn't started the season according to the expectations, but managed to improved in the last period. Pep Guardiola's men beat Southampton, Newcastle, Chelsea, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, West Browich, Sheffield United and Burnley in the Premier League. Three of these victories were narrow, while on eight of them goalkeeper kept clean sheet. At least one was controversial, against Aston Villa. The Premier League officials admitted first goal was clear offside. Nevertheless, most of the victories were well-deserved. City were also successful in the League Cup, beating Arsenal in the quarter-finals and Manchester United in the semi-finals and secured the final. The Citizens are going well in the FA Cup too. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, while the players confidence is high. Pep has some issues ahead of this match. Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne will both miss the match due to fitness issues, while Nathan Ake is out injured. Raheem Sterling is expected to start against his former club in more relaxed conditions as there will be no fans at the stadium. He needs just one more goal to reach 100 under Pep Guardiola - a tally that only two players have managed before - Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero. Some changes in the starting eleven are likely. Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Benjamin Mendy and Ferran Torres were reserves against Burnley and they are fresh.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction:
As I wrote above, Manchester City have won just once in their last 29 league visits to Anfield. But now is an ideal opportunity, Liverpool are poor like never before. The Reds failed to score a single goal on the last three home matches. They lost twice in the process, from relegation-candidates WBA and Brighton. Manchester City, meanwhile, are in excellent form. The Citizens won 9 in a row and I expect the 10th victory here.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Pick: Manchester City to win @ 2.15 with Interwetten