Liverpool v Man City- Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Liverpool host Man City in a potential title decider at Anfield on Sunday. Both sides are in incredible form with 14 wins in 16 matches for the Reds and 16 victories in 17 fixtures for City. A draw could see Arsenal leapfrog both of them into first place in the table.

Liverpool Form

Klopp’s team have lost just once in 19 matches, whilst it’s a paltry two losses in 27 in the Premier League. At Anfield, Liverpool have scored 31 goals in their last nine matches. They’ve won seven matches in a row since a surprise 3-1 defeat away to Arsenal.

After three successive league wins with 11 goals scored, they won the Carabao Cup. A depleted squad with several teenagers featuring between Chelsea 1-0 after a late goal. A fringe XI beat Southampton 3-0 at home in the FA Cup fourth round before a last-gasp 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest. On Thursday, the Reds thrashed Sparta Prague 5-1 away in the Europa League.

Liverpool Team News

Jurgen Klopp has Mohamed Salah back from injury and he featured briefly in midweek. Alisson, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch remain out injured.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo are set to play alongside Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are competing for the right-back spot.

Liverpool Motivation

Klopp picked a strong team at Sparta Prague, but they still had one eye on this match.

Expect an intense performance with Anfield rocking. Liverpool will feel like they need to win the match despite a draw being okay on paper.

Man City Form

Guardiola’s side are on an incredible run of 16 wins in 17 matches with just one draw against Chelsea (with 31 shots attempted). They took a while to break down Brentford in a 1-0 win and then defended well to win 1-0 at Bournemouth. A resounding 6-2 win at Luton with five goals for Erling Haaland.

Last Sunday, they beat Man Utd 3-1 with 3.33 Expected Goals and outshooting the Red Devils 27-3. In midweek, a heavily rotated team beat FC Copenhagen 3-1 in the Champions League. That secured a 6-2 aggregate victory to progress to the quarter-finals.

Man City Team News

City are without Jack Grealish after he picked up a groin injury. Jeremy Doku played no part in midweek due to a muscle injury, but he should be available at Anfield.

Matheus Nunes dislocated his finger against FC Copenhagen but that shouldn’t keep him out of this match, though he won’t start. Pep Guardiola made seven changes for that midweek match and will recall all of those players here.

Man City Motivation

Motivation and focus on this match is huge, which was shown by the mass midweek rotation.

City will try to play their usual game and control proceedings. Whilst they will play to win, Guardiola knows that a draw is a good result.

Key Stats

Liverpool have scored at least 3 goals in 6 of their last 8 EPL fixtures

Liverpool have won 14 of their last 16 matches

Liverpool’s last 56 home league matches have seen just 1 loss (43 wins, 12 draws)

Man City have won 16 of their last 17 matches

City’s Erling Haaland has scored 10 goals in his last 8 matches

Verdict

This match is impossible to predict! Either side could win or we may see a draw. Goals are likely and maybe the smart way to proceed.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 2.20
Alternate Bet: Draw at 3.65
Goalscorer Tip: Haaland and Salah to both score anytime at 5.50

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis