Liverpool vs Manchester City predicted XIs: Confirmed team news and probable lineups
A blockbuster Premier League encounter takes place at Anfield on Sunday when Liverpool host reigning champions Manchester City.
Just one point and one place separates these two heading into this weekend’s fixtures, with the Reds top of the pile on 63 points and desperately trying to hold off both City and Arsenal.
The Gunners could climb to the summit if they defeat Brentford at the Emirates on Saturday evening, so there could be even more pressure on this contest come Sunday afternoon.
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Jürgen Klopp reflects on ‘special’ rivalry with Pep Guardiola
From Dortmund vs Bayern to Liverpool vs Manchester City, the rivalry between Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola has produced some of the most incredible spectacles in football over the past decade or more.
Klopp has arguably been the one manager to push Guardiola to his limits, stealing some DFL-Supercup success and stinging Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga before migrating to England. But it’s on these shores where things have really ramped up.
Manchester City have become the dominant force in England and Europe under Guardiola, mopping up league and cup titles aplenty, as well as finally lifting the Champions League as part of the treble last season. But Liverpool have given as good as they’ve got, winning Premier League and Champions League titles of their own, among a host of domestic cups.
While Guardiola has built success on sleek and stylish football, Klopp has brought an intensity and a bond with players and supporters like few before him.
This Sunday, the two managers lock horns for what may well be the final time as Klopp prepares to depart Liverpool in the summer. The two sides are separated by just a point at the top of the Premier League table and both may be looking up at Arsenal by the time this Anfield showdown begins, so the stakes are once again high.
At his pre-match press conference, Klopp reflected on his time at Liverpool, as well as his rivalry with Guardiola and the improbable job of eventually replacing the Catalan tactician.
“After me?” Klopp responded when asked whether replacing him or Guardiola was an impossible job. “No, that’s not true. I understand it but everybody involved in this club thinks and knows this club is different. The people here are different. The people gave Bill Shankly the chance, and what came after Bill Shankly, and they are all bigger than we are, and the people will understand in the end that this was a fantastic time and we all enjoyed it like hell.”
Klopp continued: “The club is special. Not because of the buildings – other clubs have nice stadiums – but because of the people. It’s all about the people. I really think it is the perfect moment for a new manager and not the wrong one because we didn’t win everything, we left spaces. Go [in] at City after Pep Guardiola and you need to be champion 10 years in a row to achieve the same.”
On his rivalry with Guardiola specifically, Klopp said: “I know it’s special. I know we have had lucky and unlucky moments. I am fine with it. In those years with one point behind everybody knows on one specific moment it could have been different. For me, it doesn’t minimise the joy of what we did at that particular time.
“The outside world obviously sees it completely differently – you win it or you don’t win it. There is no silver medal in the Premier League or the Champions League. I know it’s a great achievement to reach four Champions League finals but losing three of them will be considered on the outside. They will not write it on the gravestone – he lost three Champions League finals. Stuff like this for me is not important.
“I don’t consider myself a loser because I lose finals and I don’t consider myself a winner because I won one. I just try to make the absolute best out of everything. Yes, these fights and having 97 points and not winning the league is incredible, and yes we pushed each other. It was good fun. It would have been better fun had we won it more often, no doubt about that, but my own view on it doesn’t change because of having a trophy or not. It was just exceptional what the boys did and it will not happen regularly.”
Liverpool vs Manchester City team news
Liverpool’s injury list remains a lengthy one and they will again be without Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic.
Ibrahima Konate came off during Thursday’s Europa League win over Sparta Prague with a suspected thigh injury and he will be assessed closer to the time, but Joe Gomez is fine after being substituted in that victory.
Mohamed Salah made his return to action from the bench in the second half in Prague and he could be handed a start for this crucial assignment.
City remain without the services of England midfielder Jack Grealish, who is not expected back until after the upcoming international break because of a groin problem.
Matheus Nunes was forced off during the midweek Champions League win over FC Copenhagen after dislocating his finger and is a doubt, as is Jeremy Doku, who missed the European encounter with a muscular issue.
Liverpool vs Manchester City predicted line-ups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva; Foden, Haaland, Alvarez.
