Last year's title race was a running battle between Liverpool and Manchester City, going right down to the wire. This year it is those two that have been earmarked again as favourites and just like their last meeting, it may prove to be decisive in who becomes champions.
The Liverpool-Manchester City has been bubbling for the past couple years. It started with the attack on Manchester City's bus before their Champions League quarter-final in 2018 but has links back to 2013 with Liverpool scouts accessing City's scouting database. They push each other to the limit and that was seen in the title race last year and the two best managers in the world at either club. Liverpool's rise under Klopp and City's establishment as the best side in England with Guardiola has made this fixture the best match in the country.
Liverpool have been accused of being lucky this season in terms of decisions and late goals and have been handed a big boost pre-match with the injury to Ederson. Substituted at half time at Atalanta, Liverpool fans started rumours that Guardiola was playing mind games and that he took his goalkeeper off to make him look injured. Fans are reading too much into what the other club is doing and even for Guardiola, this sort of mind game is way beyond what he'd do.
City's defence is also a shambles at the moment with John Stones likely to be the only natural central defender to start, with midfielder Fernandinho and right back Kyle Walker alongside him. Walker has played in the centre for England with five in defence so should be comfortable. This can only be positive for Liverpool whose attack will be chomping at the bit to go full throttle on this fragile City defence.
The dilemma for Klopp is whether or not to start Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. When given his chance, he has impressed and offers something different that Liverpool's midfield does not possess. Henderson missed the Genk match through illness but is expected to be available and will partner Wijnaldum and Fabinho in midfield. This trio struggled to create chances against Manchester United who played a similar system to what City may do. For me, Oxlade-Chamberlain must start but if Liverpool aren't firing on all cylinders, he will be the first name from the bench.
This is Liverpool's to lose. Their starting XI is more settled than City's although Lovren is a liability, shown by his horrendous performance away to City last season. It is a 'must not lose' scenario for City. A draw and they remain six points away and that is salvageable. But a Liverpool win would take the deficit up to nine points and that is big gap between the two, especially as City would be 4th with Leicester and Chelsea above them.
Manchester City play more attractive football than Liverpool which may give the impression that they are better than Liverpool. The Reds, though, play great football and Klopp has instilled a 'never say die' attitude into the players that is present at all times - just look at Villa last weekend. I think Liverpool will win 2-1. Mane to score either side of De Bruyne.
The Liverpool-Manchester City has been bubbling for the past couple years. It started with the attack on Manchester City's bus before their Champions League quarter-final in 2018 but has links back to 2013 with Liverpool scouts accessing City's scouting database. They push each other to the limit and that was seen in the title race last year and the two best managers in the world at either club. Liverpool's rise under Klopp and City's establishment as the best side in England with Guardiola has made this fixture the best match in the country.
Liverpool have been accused of being lucky this season in terms of decisions and late goals and have been handed a big boost pre-match with the injury to Ederson. Substituted at half time at Atalanta, Liverpool fans started rumours that Guardiola was playing mind games and that he took his goalkeeper off to make him look injured. Fans are reading too much into what the other club is doing and even for Guardiola, this sort of mind game is way beyond what he'd do.
City's defence is also a shambles at the moment with John Stones likely to be the only natural central defender to start, with midfielder Fernandinho and right back Kyle Walker alongside him. Walker has played in the centre for England with five in defence so should be comfortable. This can only be positive for Liverpool whose attack will be chomping at the bit to go full throttle on this fragile City defence.
The dilemma for Klopp is whether or not to start Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. When given his chance, he has impressed and offers something different that Liverpool's midfield does not possess. Henderson missed the Genk match through illness but is expected to be available and will partner Wijnaldum and Fabinho in midfield. This trio struggled to create chances against Manchester United who played a similar system to what City may do. For me, Oxlade-Chamberlain must start but if Liverpool aren't firing on all cylinders, he will be the first name from the bench.
This is Liverpool's to lose. Their starting XI is more settled than City's although Lovren is a liability, shown by his horrendous performance away to City last season. It is a 'must not lose' scenario for City. A draw and they remain six points away and that is salvageable. But a Liverpool win would take the deficit up to nine points and that is big gap between the two, especially as City would be 4th with Leicester and Chelsea above them.
Manchester City play more attractive football than Liverpool which may give the impression that they are better than Liverpool. The Reds, though, play great football and Klopp has instilled a 'never say die' attitude into the players that is present at all times - just look at Villa last weekend. I think Liverpool will win 2-1. Mane to score either side of De Bruyne.
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