5 reasons why Liverpool will end Manchester City’s unbeaten Premier League run

Anfield will host the Skyblues on Sunday in one of the most anticipated clashes of 2018. Two of the best attacking teams in the Premier League go head to head and Liverpool will be looking to avenge their 5-0 loss at the Etihad in the reverse fixture, back in September.

Liverpool go into the fixture with 9 points from their last 3 games while Manchester City have 7 from their last 3. City will be without the Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus while Mohamed Salah is expected to return for Liverpool.

A win for Liverpool will consolidate their fourth-placed position in the table, and they can even go to second place if other results go in their favour.

On the other hand, Manchester City will look to keep up the momentum and hold on to their 15 point lead at the top. On that note, let’s take a look at 5 reasons why Liverpool will beat Manchester City and end their streak this Sunday:

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#5 City’s struggle in defending set pieces and crosses

Otamendi will have a tough time against Mo Salah & Co.

Manchester City have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season. They may not have the best defence in the league but their utter dominance in attack is restricting opponent teams from having a 'go' at their defence. Defending is not their strength and of late, teams have found a distinct weakness in their armour.

Defending set pieces and crosses from wide areas have troubled the Citizens in recent weeks. Otamendi conceded an own goal against Huddersfield from a cross. West Ham too exposed their weakness when Ogbonna scored from a Creswell cross.

Also, Southampton came close to scoring on a couple of occasions against City from corners. Based on what we witnessed against Everton last week, Virgil van Dijk is a big threat in set pieces and Klopp will look to capitalize on that.

#4 Manchester City’s recent away form is not convincing

West Ham United exposed City's weakness with set pieces

The Citizens showed signs of trouble in recent away fixtures. Since December, the Skyblues struggled to win games on the road. They lost to Shakhtar Donetsk in a UEFA Champions League fixture - their only loss this season - followed by a narrow win against Newcastle at the St James’ Park.

They went scoreless against a bottom-ranked Crystal Palace side and won on penalties against Leicester City in the league cup quarterfinals.

In the same fixture last season, Liverpool beat Manchester City 1-0 at home. Jurgen Klopp played an extra man in the midfield as Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can outplayed Pep’s midfield on the day.

The departure of Philippe Coutinho may hurt Jurgen Klopp, but the return of Adam Lallana will be a massive boost for Liverpool.

#3 Klopp has a better record against Guardiola than any managers in top-flight football

Can Klopp beat Guardiola again?

Jurgen Klopp is the only manager who has a better record against the Spaniard ( from a minimum of 10 competitive games). They played a lot against each other when Pep managed Bayern Munich and Klopp managed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

They have played against each other 11 times and won 5 apiece. In the Premier League, their record stands at 1-1. While most managers in the Premier League have tried to park the bus at the back against Manchester City, expect a different approach from Jurgen Klopp.

He is bound to come all guns blazing and will look to give Pep Guardiola the taste of his own medicine. Additionally, Klopp has the right resources at his disposal to stop Manchester City’s unbeaten run in the Premier League.

#2 The Skyblues are susceptible to pace and high pressing

Manchester City will have a tough time against the pace of Sadio Mane

Manchester City’s strength lies in their ability to play attacking football and no team in the Premier League so far have tested their resolve.

Liverpool is one of Europe’s best team in counterattacks because of the pace and quality in the team. They can be rated as the best in Premier League in this regard. Most of the Premier League teams sit back and defend against City, allowing them to hold on to possession. But Klopp’s Liverpool side will definitely be not going that route.

They will press higher up the pitch and definitely trouble City’s fragile defence. Liverpool will look to play the game at a higher pace and will try to expose City’s weakness. City look troubled against the pace of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Jesse Lingard in the Manchester derby and Klopp is well aware of their weakness.

#1 Fresher legs and the desire to avenge their 5-0 defeat at the Etihad

Liverpool will look to avenge their huge defeat at the Etihad from earlier this season

Last time Manchester City played Liverpool, there was no shortage of drama. The game was evenly balanced until the 37th minute. Sadio Mane’s red card changed the complexion of the game completely. City, with a man advantage, put Liverpool to the sword in a 5-0 win.

It was Liverpool’s worst defeat under Jurgen Klopp. But, Liverpool have bounced back from the defeat and played some sublime football over the last few months. Klopp will understandably be the hungrier of two managers on Sunday, as Liverpool look to avenge their 5-0 humiliation.

Also, Liverpool go into the Sunday game with fresher legs. Klopp’s side travelled to Dubai midweek when Manchester City played Burnley in the FA Cup. Klopp’s side is relatively fresh and Mo Salah will be making his comeback after a two-week break owing to injury.

Liverpool can be expected to take the attack to their opponents, and who knows, they could just do what hasn't been done so far this season - Beat the Citizens.