By Steven Northover

The Preview

With their tails up following an impressive win against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Arne Slot's inform Liverpool head to the Etihad, and renew a rivalry that has dominated English football for nearly a decade. After an impressive start, followed by a marked drop in form, the Reds have returned to performances akin to those that led them to a convincing league championship last season. Manchester City themselves are having their own season of indifference (by their lofty standards), having already lost three of their opening ten Premier League games this season.

They're still a huge threat to Liverpool, however, with star man Erling Haaland returning to the kind of form that made him famous. The Norwegian is already enjoying an incredible season already, scoring 26 goals in 16 games this season. However, following convincing wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, Liverpool will go into the match on a huge wave of confidence. Key battle grounds will largely be based around which defence holds out for longer. Haaland’s threat is well known, but Liverpool's issues this season hasn't been scoring goals, it's saving
them. 

If Liverpool’s back line maintains their intensity from Madrid, they should be able to hold off City's attacking threat. But equally, Liverpool will need to be more clinical in attack, as chances will likely be restricted by their own defensive strength.

Team News:

Liverpool: Arne Slot gave an injury prior to the Real Madrid match. Alison Becker is definitely out of the Manchester City game, whilst Alexander Isak has an outside chance of playing against the Citizens on Sunday. Post Madrid, there appears to be no new injuries coming after the Madrid match, so Liverpool are likely to be as near to fill strength as possible. As this is Liverpool’s last game before the international break, expect an unchanged lineup from Slot.

Manchester City: Manchester City should be at full strength going into the weekend, with only Mateo Kovacic definitely out with an ankle injury. Alongside Haaland, Phil Foden has regained the form that made him Young Player of the Year two seasons ago, and between the two of them are likely to be the bulk of their attacking threat.

Key Players:

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool:

Mamardashvili, Robertson, Konate, Van Dijk, Bradley, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike.

Manchester City: 

Donnarumma, O’Rielly, J. Gvardiol, Rúben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Rodri, Reijnders, R. Cherki, Silva, Foden, Haaland.

Predicted Score:

There was a huge sense of trepidation about these two fixtures at the start of the week, but with Liverpool’s return to form and Manchester City's different season so far (Haaland aside, obviously) then the Reds will be confident going into the match .

Manchester City 1-2 to Liverpool.