Image Credits: Imago Images
Few fixtures in modern English football carry the same weight as Liverpool vs Manchester City. Liverpool arrive at Anfield on the back of a 4-1 win over Newcastle. The Reds will look to avenge a 3-0 loss earlier this season.
City started well against Tottenham, taking a 2-0 lead, but a poor second-half performance saw them drop points, leaving them six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side have managed only one clean sheet in their last five league games, that coming against Wolves, who rank 19th in expected goals this season.
Key defenders Josko Gvardiol and John Stones are out injured, though Ruben Dias returned to the bench against Newcastle. Bernardo Silva missed City’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg squad on Wednesday night.
“Bernardo is ruled out with injury,” Manchester City said, announcing their squad for the game. City’s recent form has been patchy, winning just one of their last six league games, allowing Arsenal to open a gap at the top.
Guardiola faces a crucial Premier League clash at Anfield this weekend and a Carabao Cup return leg against Newcastle, where he has made six changes from the Tottenham lineup.
Nathan Ake will lead the defence alongside Abdukodir Khusanov in Dias and Gvardiol’s absence, while Jeremy Doku remains unavailable after his recent injury against Galatasaray.
Injuries continue to plague City, with Mateo Kovacic and John Stones sidelined, and questions remain over the futures of Silva and Ake.
Guardiola himself faces speculation about leaving the Etihad before his contract expires in 2027, adding further uncertainty to City’s campaign as they aim to salvage silverware in a challenging season.
Manchester City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake (C), Ait-Nouri, Nico, Reijnders, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Foden, Marmoush. Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Cherki, Rodri, Nypan, McAidoo, Alleyne, Lewis
Newcastle United XI: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier (c), Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade, Joe Willock, Dan Burn, Jacob Ramsey. Subs: Nick Pope, Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes, Will Osula, Anthony Elanga, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave.
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