Jurgen Klopp finds his Liverpool side gearing up for the Saturday lunchtime Premier League clash against Manchester City after the international break, setting the stage for a top-of-the-table spectacle at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning squad sits just one point ahead of Liverpool as they head into the weekend’s headline fixture.
However, their recent winning streak met an unexpected end two weekends ago in a phenomenal 4-4 draw, where Cole Palmer’s late penalty for Chelsea denied City victory.
The upcoming showdown holds significant implications for both teams, with Manchester City aiming to equal a historic record of 24 successive home wins and Liverpool seeking redemption after recent struggles at the Etihad.
In their last outing, Liverpool secured a win against Brentford with a landmark brace from Mohamed Salah and a sublime goal from Diogo Jota.
Klopp’s side, currently in silver medal position, must address their inconsistent away form, having recorded just one win in five road matches.
Defensive vulnerabilities have haunted Liverpool in recent visits to the Etihad, with losses in the EFL Cup and Premier League. Klopp faces the challenge of shoring up his defense against a formidable City attack.
Team news brings uncertainty for both sides, with concerns over Erling Haaland’s fitness for City and Liverpool’s late decisions on players like Ryan Gravenberch and Joe Gomez.
Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, and others are sidelined for City, while Liverpool will miss Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, and Andrew Robertson.
Expected lineups feature Ederson, Haaland, and Grealish for City, while Liverpool counters with Alisson, Salah, and Jota.
In predicting the outcome, Manchester City holds a home advantage, having won 15 consecutive home matches in 2023.
The preview anticipates a victory for Manchester City, considering the challenges faced by both teams during the international break and the absence of key players.
