Premier League frontrunners Manchester City are gearing up to face Liverpool at the iconic Anfield this Sunday in what promises to be an electrifying encounter.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will be eager to bounce back from their tough 5-0 defeat earlier this season at the Etihad and are targeting a fifth successive home victory against City in the Premier League. On the pitch, we’ll witness stars like Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne going head-to-head, making this clash one for the ages.
English Premier League | Sunday 14 January | Anfield | 18:00
To Win
Liverpool 2/1 | Draw 26/10 | Man City 23/20
Liverpool
Currently sitting fourth after 22 fixtures, Liverpool boasts an impressive unbeaten streak of 13 league games, including a trio of consecutive wins. Their fortress, Anfield, has seen the Reds remain undefeated in 11 matches this season, conceding only 4 goals, the best home defensive record in the league, although their home draws tally is one of the highest.
The recent arrival of Virgil van Dijk strengthens Liverpool’s defence considerably. Van Dijk will replace Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, who struggled against City’s attack previously. Van Dijk’s ball-playing abilities cater perfectly to Klopp’s playing style. However, the team faced a blow with Philippe Coutinho’s departure to Barcelona, and Klopp now faces selections between Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Emre Can.
Despite the loss, Liverpool’s record against City at home is outstanding with four consecutive wins, and City hasn’t won at Anfield in their last 16 visits. With this, plus Van Dijk’s influence and a potent attack, Liverpool should feel confident stepping onto the pitch.
Manchester City
Manchester City lead the table with 20 wins and 2 draws in 22 games, holding a commanding 15-point gap over Manchester United. They have the highest goals scored in the league (64) and the tightest defence (conceding 13). Having defeated Liverpool 5-0 at home earlier, City seek to complete their first-ever league double over the Reds.
City recently secured a comfortable 3-1 home win over Watford but dropped points following a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, ending their impressive 18-match league winning streak. Still, City’s record boasts 11 consecutive away wins before that, including victories against Chelsea and United. City’s key forwards, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero, with 14 and 13 goals respectively, will look to continue their lethal form, especially Sterling, who returns to Anfield hoping to impress his former club.
Verdict: Liverpool Win (2/1)
The emphatic win City delivered earlier in the season fuels Liverpool’s desire for revenge. Backed by a formidable home record, the introduction of Van Dijk, and Salah’s electric performances, Liverpool looks set to cause an upset and hand City their first defeat this campaign.
