Liverpool vs Manchester City: 5 Point Preview

The Premier League returns to action this weekend and Liverpool will play hosts to table toppers Manchester City this Sunday evening. Pep Guardiola’s men are 15 points clear at the top of the table, as they increasingly look like they are on course to emulating Arsenal’s Invincibles with the final third of the season fast approaching.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have been successful so far in juggling the numerous fixtures that hit them over the festive period and seemed to have matured over the last one year when they squandered a title race over the same period. A win here would really help in strengthening their Top 4 hopes.

Let’s jump right into the 5 point preview for the upcoming blockbuster clash.

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#5 The horrors of the last encounter

Sadio Mane was sent off following a dangerous challenge on Ederson

Early in the season, Liverpool were tipped to beat Manchester City when they squared off in September, but a red card given out to Sadio Mane for his unintentional challenge on City keeper Ederson gave the Sky Blues the advantage as they sent out an ominous message of intent to all their rivals.

City climbed to the top of the table on goal difference after that game, and since then, they have been successful in increasing their advantage to 15 points.

Now that they square off again, a loss here might not mean a lot for Manchester City but the season is still long and they will be hoping to assert their dominance even more.

#4 Liverpool’s winter transfer window

Coutinho has joined Barcelona

While The Reds started the new year and the transfer window with a world-record defender signing in Virgil van Dijk – with his debut goal making fans believe that 2018 might finally be Liverpool’s year, the inevitable struck a day later when Barcelona came knocking to take away another one of Liverpool’s prized attacking possession, Philippe Coutinho.

Even though Coutinho would not have played this high-stakes encounter owing to a thigh injury that he sustained, a departure of such magnitude is certain to affect the morale of the squad.

With no replacements sought so far, it would be interesting to see which member of the squad makes the step up.

#3 Current Form

Virgil Van Dijk is expected to take charge of Liverpool's defence

The football played in England during the festive season is very decisive in nature, as a successful run could propel the team towards a confident finish to the season.

Many of the Big Six teams had a mixed run of form – Manchester United went on a 3-match drawing streak, Arsenal slipped to 6th and surprise European spots contenders, Burnley, could accumulate only 3 points in the last five games.

City and Pool, on the other hand, are in strong form, and exactly similar ones at that. With 13 points in the last five games, this strong run could possibly end for one of the teams in question, and they certainly have the firepower to do so.

#2 Attack, attack, attack!

Klopp and Pep are expected to set up their teams to go for the kill

While we got a one-sided clash the last time around when these two teams met in the Premier League, we could finally get in this clash what we have to come to expect from such a high-profile game since Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola took over.

Heavy metal meets tiki-taka as two of the only teams to have scored 50 or more goals in the league this year look well poised to entertain Anfield this Sunday evening.

It’s also another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two managers since they first met in the German Super Cup in 2013. The head-to-head record stands 5-5 right now. Who will take the lead?

#1 Mo Salah

Mo Salah has been in scintillating form this season

Easily the bargain buy of the season, and a top contender for the Player of the Season award, Liverpool’s Mo Salah has set the league on fire.

After being unable to shine during his first Premier League stint with Chelsea, he is currently in the form of his life. With more than 20 goals in the season already (17 in the Premier League), he has emerged as a surprise contender for the Golden Boot, with his statistics currently better than the likes of Sergio Aguero, Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata.

There are doubts over his fitness for this match, but if he is declared fit to start, expect him to have a huge say in the outcome of this match.

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Prediction: We hope there are goals in this one. Liverpool 2 – 2 Man City

What are your predictions? Would Liverpool end City’s unbeaten streak? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.