#LIVMCI: Liverpool will host runaway League leaders, Manchester City today in one of the most anticipated clashes of 2018.
The two best attacking teams in the League go head to head and Liverpool will be looking to avenge their 5-0 loss at the Etihad back in September.
A win for Liverpool will consolidate their fourth-placed position in the table, and they can even go to second place if other results go in their favour.
Meanwhile, Leaders Manchester City will look to keep up the momentum and hold on to their 15 point lead at the top.
(1) Liverpool on an Avengers Mission
Last time Manchester City played Liverpool, there was no shortage of drama. The game was evenly balanced until the 37th minute.
Sadio Mane’s red card changed the complexion of the game completely. City, with a man advantage, put Liverpool to the sword in a 5-0 win.
Liverpool have now bounced back from the defeat and played some sublime football over the last few months.
Klopp will understandably be the hungrier of two managers on Sunday, as Liverpool look to avenge their 5-0 humiliation by the League leaders.
Also, Liverpool go into the Sunday game with fresher legs. Klopp’s side travelled to Dubai midweek when Manchester City played Burnley in the FA Cup.
Klopp’s side is relatively fresh and Mo Salah will be making his comeback after a two-week break owing to injury.
Liverpool can be expected to take the attack to their opponents, and who knows, they could just do what hasn’t been done so far this season
(2) City’s Away form ‘terrible’
Since December, the Citizens have struggled to win games on the road.
They lost to Shakhtar Donetsk in a UEFA Champions League fixture – their only loss this season – followed by a narrow win against Newcastle at the St James’ Park.
They went scoreless against a bottom-ranked Crystal Palace side and won on penalties against Leicester City in the league cup quarterfinals.
In the same fixture last season, Liverpool beat Manchester City 1-0 at home.
Jurgen Klopp played an extra man in the midfield as Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can outplayed Pep’s midfield on the day.
The departure of Philippe Coutinho may hurt Jurgen Klopp, but the return of Adam Lallana will be a massive boost for Liverpool.
(3) Aerial Weakness
Leaders, Manchester City has the best defensive record in the Premier League this season.
They may not have the best defence in the league but their utter dominance in attack is restricting opponent teams from having a ‘go’ at their defence.
Defending is not their strength and of late, teams have found a distinct weakness in their armour.
Defending set pieces and crosses from wide areas have troubled the Citizens in recent weeks.
Otamendi conceded an own goal against Huddersfield from a cross.
David Moyes’ West Ham had exposed their aerial weakness when Ogbonna scored from a Creswell cross.
Also, Southampton came close to scoring on a couple of occasions against City from corners.
Based on what we witnessed against Everton last week, Virgil van Dijk is a big threat in set pieces and Klopp will look to capitalize on that.
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