The Premier League’s top two face off as leaders Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad this Saturday.
The Reds will go top if they can beat Pep Guardiola’s side away from home in the Premier League for the first time since 2015, while the Cityzens will aim to build a four-point gap between the two sides with a win.
Here’s everything you need to know about this weekends’ top of the table clash.
Manchester City v Liverpool – Match Preview:
Form
Manchester City: WWWWD
The Premier League champions were denied all three points at Stamford Bridge in an instant classic against Chelsea last time out, as former player Cole Palmer sank a stoppage time penalty to make the game 4-4.
It was the first time City had conceded four goals in a game for 180 matches, which dated back to September 2020, when Leicester struck five past Guardiola’s side at the Etihad.
The Etihad has been a fortress for the treble winners, as they have won 23 consecutive home matches dating back to December 2022. They haven’t tasted defeat in front of their home fans in over a year, when Brentford shocked the champions 2-1.
Last season’s Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland tops the goalscoring charts with 13 for the season so far, but new signing Jeremy Doku has been equally as impressive.
The Belgian winger has already racked up five assists and no player has completed more dribbles in the league than the former Rennes man’s 31, despite only playing 62% of the available minutes.
Seeing double 🫨
Textbook @JeremyDoku 🤌 pic.twitter.com/CRp9QenjIN
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 15, 2023
City have several players who are a doubt for the game with minor problems.
Haaland has a foot injury and missed Norway’s game vs Scotland, while Mateo Kovacic has a thigh strain. Nathan Ake has a knock and Matheus Nunes has a muscular problem, with no timeframe put on John Stones’ return from his latest setback.
Liverpool: WWDLW
The Reds have started the Premier League season brightly and have only tasted defeat once in the top flight in 23 games since April.
Liverpool comfortably beat Brentford 3-0 in their last game before the international break.
Mohamed Salah netted a brace to take his tally to 10 Premier League goals and Diogo Jota added a third to secure the three points and a fourth clean sheet of the season.
Goal involvements in 1️⃣5️⃣ consecutive Premier League matches at Anfield. 🤯
The Egyptian King 👑 pic.twitter.com/zkc1JC4OXO
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 15, 2023
Jurgen Klopp’s men have the best defensive record in the division, conceding just 10 goals in 12 games, but eight of those have come away from home and Liverpool are without a clean sheet on the road.
The Reds haven’t won a Premier League game away from home since September, a 3-1 comeback win against Wolves. They have lost to Tottenham and drawn at Brighton and Luton since that win.
Liverpool will be boosted in midfield by the returning Alexis Mac Allister, who is available after suspension, as well as Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones, who both picked up injuries before the break.
Last Meeting
Manchester City 4-1 Liverpool, April 1st 2023
The Pep Guardiola v Jurgen Klopp rivalry resumed back in April, when Manchester City were chasing down leaders Arsenal. Liverpool sat in eighth, 19 points behind City.
Liverpool opened the scoring after a quick break, as the Reds exploited Manchester City’s high backline. Diogo Jota was sent through on goal, where the ball fell to Mohamed Salah who fired home his 11th goal vs City.
Erling Haaland missed the clash through injury, but Julian Alvarez successfully took up the striking reins as he tucked away a Jack Grealish pullback on 27 minutes to equalise.
The Cityzens rallied after half-time and picked up two quick-fire goals. Kevin De Bruyne found the net just one minute after the restart and Ilkay Gundogan added a third six minutes later.
Grealish put the game beyond all doubt on 74 minutes and sent Manchester City to within eight points of Arsenal, with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Liverpool lost ground in the top four race.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri; Foden, Alvarez, Silva, Doku; Haaland.
Liverpool: Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Jota.
Who is the referee?
Chris Kavanagh.
Is Manchester City v Liverpool on TV?
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports Main Event.
USA: Peacock.
What time is kick off?
Saturday 25th November, 12:30pm GMT.
Odds
Manchester City – 7/10
Draw – 16/5
Liverpool – 10/3
