Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will test their tactical fortitude this weekend in the Premier League as Liverpool take on Manchester City. In seasons past, this would be a clash right at the top of the table. That is not true this season. Manchester City is maintaining their end of the status quo, coming into this match sitting in second place. Liverpool is not holding up their end of the bargain, though coming into this match in tenth place.
Liverpool will take solace and maybe a bit of confidence in the fact that no side has been more successful against Man City in the EPL era. Liverpool has won twenty-two matches against The Citizens.
That is six more than any other side. The flip side of that is they have not tasted victory in their last five PL matches against Manchester City. Although they have never failed to register a win in six straight league matches against The Sky Blues in their entire history.
City has lost just one of their last 37 Premier League matches. Away from home, they are undefeated in their last 22. That is the fourth-longest run in competition history.
Liverpool vs Manchester City FYIs
Kickoff: Sun Oct. 16, Anfield, 4:30 pm
Team News: Liverpool Manchester City
Starting XI Predictions: Liverpool Manchester City
After Extra Time Podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts
PL Form: Liverpool LDDWW Manchester City WWWDW
Starting XI Prediction
Liverpool’s revolving door of injuries makes predicting their starting lineup match-to-match very difficult. And with Jurgen Klopp’s recent tweaks to their system, even picking the shape is a tough prospect. Nevertheless, we have given it a go.
Here is how we think Liverpool lines up against City this weekend.
GK- Alisson
DEF- Gomez, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson
MID- Henderson, Thiago
ATT- Jota, Firmino, Salah, Nunez
Match Prediction
These two always provide an entertaining contest. At least, that has been the case for the last five years. I think this is the match that their record of producing evenly contested, close run thrillers comes to an end. Manchester City will make mincemeat of Liverpool’s faltering defense here. This one could be all over at halftime. This is a proper season of rebuilding for Liverpool. And the result here will prove it. Manchester City 5-1
Stuart Kavanagh is a journalist currently residing in Broken Hill, Australia. He writes for the Barrier Truth newspaper, along with being the owner of the sports and entertainment website thepyrrhic.com, He co-hosts the ‘After Extra Time’ podcast and contributes at edgeofthecrowd.com when time permits. He is also the Media & Communications Director at the Newosis Mental Health Foundation. You can find more about what the Newosis Mental Health Foundation is about here.
Football mad, he is always down for debate and discussion at @stueyissickofit on Twitter.