Prediction: Liverpool vs Manchester City

Verdict: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

With all eyes falling on Anfield this weekend, Liverpool will welcome Manchester City to the red half of Merseyside on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool

Starting with the hosts, claiming what was a routine 2-0 victory against defending European champions Real Madrid in midweek, Liverpool are in the midst of what has become a remarkable purple patch. While Arne Slot might have only arrived at Anfield over the summer, the Reds have embarked on a sensational rise under the former Feyenoord boss. Marking their return from November’s international break with a second-half comeback at St. Mary’s as they collected a 3-2 win against Southampton, Liverpool are suddenly pencilled in as the leading title contender this season. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a commanding eight-point buffer over the chasing pack, Sunday’s hosts have lost just one of their first 19 appearances across all competitions so far this season. With the mood around Anfield at a red-hot high, Slot’s men will be looking to collect another heavyweight scalp.

Team News

Making a speedy recovery and returning to Slot’s bench earlier in the week, England international Trent Alexander-Arnold could make a full return at right-back. However, with Alisson Becker still on the sidelines with a muscle injury, Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will keep his spot between the sticks.

Ibrahima Konate will once again partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Slot’s defence on Sunday afternoon. Notching a Premier League brace away at Southampton last weekend and already putting 10 top-flight goals on the board, Mohamed Salah will lead Liverpool’s charge.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, suffering what was an infamous Champions League collapse earlier in the week, Manchester City find themselves at the heart of a record-breaking crisis. Eventually forced to settle for a 3-3 stalemate at home against Feyenoord, Pep Guardiola’s men have come under a huge amount of recent scrutiny. Marking their return from November’s international break with a sensational 4-0 drumming at home against Tottenham, the Sky Blues have lost five of their previous six appearances across all competitions and have failed to put a single victory on the board since a 1-0 win against Southampton on October 26th. Already sat eight points adrift of Liverpool and now facing a major uphill battle in the race to make more Premier League history, the former Barcelona boss will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended issues at the back.

Team News

Undergoing knee surgery last month, newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is not expected to feature over the remainder of the season. Likewise, suffering an injury blow while away with Croatia during November’s international break, former Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic will miss out at Anfield.

Bagging a Champions League brace in midweek and already notching 17 goals across all competitions, the record-breaking Erling Haaland will play a leading role here. Midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne could make a first start since September 18th this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Liverpool and Manchester City last met at Anfield back on March 10th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
• Man City have failed to win any of their previous six appearances across all competitions (five defeats, one draw)
• The defending Premier League champions have conceded 17 goals on that six-match winless rut.
• Liverpool have lost just one of their first 19 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
• The Reds have won each of their last six matchups across all formats by an aggregate score of 16-5.

Conclusion

Claiming what was a routine 2-0 victory against Real Madrid earlier in the week, Liverpool will be confident about collecting another heavyweight scalp here. Enjoying what has become a sensational purple patch and holding a commanding eight-point buffer at the top of the table, Sunday’s hosts are riding a remarkable wave of momentum. Suffering just a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Slot’s high-flying squad will be confident of cashing in on a Manchester City side who find themselves at the heart of a public crisis.

Verdict: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster