EPL Match Preview, Round 28: Liverpool Vs Manchester City
Written By Albert Echatah
Before the opening whistle blows in their thrilling top-flight match, Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City will exchange a fond embrace on the Anfield touchline for the final time in the Premier League.
After 27 games in the 2023–24 season, just one spot and one point separate the two titans, though Arsenal has the ability to move both teams up before Sunday’s big matchup starts.
Liverpool
The title is currently the Reds’ to lose thanks to their most recent Premier League winning goal on record, which is also the tenth most recent in the competition’s history since data became available.
Darwin Nunez scored Liverpool’s only goal in their nervy win at the City Ground last weekend. The Uruguayan scored an incredible header in the 99th minute to defeat Nottingham Forest. Liverpool celebrated as they kept their one-point advantage over the Cityzens at the top of the table while Nottingham Forest players and staff lost their shirt at full time.
Form
But if Arsenal defeats Brentford on Saturday, Klopp’s team would drop to the runners-up slot. The Reds return to Merseyside after an exhausting but profitable trip to the Czech Republic, where they destroyed Sparta Prague 5-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 match.
Player’s to watch
Darwin Nunez has scored 5 goals in his last 5 games for the Merseyside giants. Nunez will be hoping to add to his 16-goal tally. The Uruguayan has scored 10 goals and provided 7 assists in 25 EPL games for Liverpool.
Manchester City
March began with back-to-back Premier League blockbusters for Guardiola’s team. Last weekend, they were taken aback by a Marcus Rashford rocket against Manchester United, but hotshots Phil Foden (two) and Erling Haaland—who was making up for one of the worst misses in the history of the competition—completed the Cityzens’ comeback.
While Liverpool still have 90 minutes remaining in their Europa League match before they can celebrate advancement, the Manchester mammoths easily defeated Copenhagen 6-2 on aggregate to advance to the Champions League round of eight. A second straight treble is still possible for Sunday’s visitors.
Form
Following their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in December, Man City has won 16 of their previous 17 games in all competitions, including their past five. This run of victories on the road has come before an incredible 10-game winning streak for the defending Premier League winners.
Player’s to watch
Erling Haaland has scored 8 goals in his last 5 games for the Cityzens. The talismanic striker scored Man City’s third goal against Manchester United on Sunday in the FA cup, the Norwegian Striker is gradually returning to form.
Team News
Ben Doak (knee), Joel Matip (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Alisson Becker (thigh), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), Curtis Jones (shin), and Ryan Gravenberch (ankle) are the eight players that Liverpool will undoubtedly be missing. Additionally, young attacker Jayden Danns (concussion) may not be cleared to play.
Even though Matheus Nunes’ horrifyingly dislocated finger was promptly put back in place, Man City did not come out of their match with Copenhagen unscathed either. Nevertheless, the former Liverpool target would have probably been benched otherwise. Due to muscular issues, Jeremy Doku is unlikely to play against the champions at Anfield, and Jack Grealish (groyne) is undoubtedly out.
Head-To-Head
The current head to head record for the teams are Liverpool 16 win(s), Manchester City 12 win(s), and 10 draw(s).
Hot stat
Six of Liverpool’s past seven games at Anfield have seen at least three goals scored by the opposition, but because the hosts have only kept one clean sheet in their previous nine home games, a similarly dominant Man City has every right to want to spoil the fun.
Possible Lineup
Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Alvarez
Verdict
While Liverpool have so far proven infallible at Anfield this season, several factors are working against Klopp’s side – including an unenviable injury list and limited recovery time from an away game in Europe – and the hosts conceded numerous gilt-edged chances to Sparta Prague even with a strong XI on the field. Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City
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