Liverpool vs Manchester City
England – Premier League
Date: Sunday, 3 October 2021
Kick-off at 16:30 UK/ 17:30 CET
Venue: Anfield.
The highlight of Sunday’s four Premier League games features two clubs anticipated to compete for the title this season.
The Reds and Sky Blues meet at Anfield at 16:30 GMT in this top-of-the-table heavyweight clash. A sold-out audience will be in attendance, while millions more around the world will tune in to watch the game live on television in the hopes of getting some early clues as to where the trophy will end up this spring.
Manchester City are the defending champions, having stolen the championship from Liverpool previous season when the Reds struggled to finish in the top four despite putting up minimal resistance. The Reds look to be back to full strength, and while the championship will not be determined in this match, they will want to take first blood and send a message to their opponents.
Last season, Liverpool and Man City played twice, with the champions winning both times. The first meeting at the Etihad Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw in November, before City thrashed Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield in February.
The Cityzens have gone three games without losing in this match, a streak that spans over two years. In that period, Liverpool has a 2-9 aggregate score.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Head to head :
- The latest encounter had ended in a 1-4 win for Pep’s men.
- They are on a three-fixture unbeaten run, and two of these were wins.
- Since 1989, the guests have won just twice at this stadium.
- Meanwhile, the hosts had won five of the past eight clashes at this ground.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction :
Man City head to Liverpool in what is a crucial encounter in the Premier League this season, believing they can win at Anfield for the second season in a row after their success away at Chelsea last weekend. However, that victory occurred in front of an empty stadium, and a similar result with a full home crowd supporting Liverpool this time would be a huge surprise. Instead, a close game is expected, as both teams have been strong on defense thus far this season.
Man City has only surrendered one league goal so far in 2021-22, whilst Liverpool conceded three at Brentford previous season., their backline is expected to put up a much better showing in this game. Chances may be few and far between for these two teams, with both focusing on defensive solidity in the face of their opponents’ superiority. With everything in mind, betting on under 2.5 goals appears to be the best bet in this game.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Team News :
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has announced that Trent Alexander-Arnold will not play in this crucial match, joining Harvey Elliott and Thiago Alcantara on the sidelines.
Even with Naby Keita’s return to health, James Milner should stay at right-back for the time being, while Curtis Jones has put in some good efforts in the center of the park and could earn a start against the champs.
Klopp’s only real choice is whether to start Diogo Jota or Firmino in the attack’s center, and while the Portuguese has held his spot thus far, the Brazilian may be favored in a game of this significance.
Meanwhile, City manager Pep Guardiola does not anticipate Ilkay Gundogan to recover before the international break, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is a serious doubt but unlikely to replace Cancelo anyhow.
Aymeric Laporte started both the Chelsea win and the PSG loss, but John Stones has yet to play this season and may not be thrust into an Anfield match right away.
After a poor evening in Paris, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling are expected to make place for Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus in the first XI.
Liverpool possible starting lineup :
Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Manchester City possible starting lineup :
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, Foden; Jesus, De Bruyne, Grealish
