MX23RW : Monday, December 23 00:18:27| >> :60:1223:1223:
[monks data]
Attendance: 53,324
Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 12
Nov 10, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

3-1

Fabinho (6'), Salah (13'), Mane (51')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Silva (78')

How Manchester City could line up against Liverpool

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester City could line up for Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

Manchester City travel to Anfield for a Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Sunday in what promises to be the biggest challenge of the season for Pep Guardiola's men.

Defeat in Merseyside would leave the champions nine points behind Jurgen Klopp's side in the table, while a victory would take them to within three points and also lay down an important psychological marker in the title race.

The Citizens head into this game with a poor record at Anfield, with the club's last away win over Liverpool in the league coming in 2003.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Guardiola could line up for this crucial fixture.


POSSIBLE MNCXI v LIV (2)

Out: Leroy Sane (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (knee), Rodri Hernandez (knee), Aymeric Laporte (knee), David Silva (thigh), Ederson (muscle)
Doubtful: None

> Click here to view City's full list of injuries and suspensions ahead of the game.

Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the muscle injury sustained by Ederson in Atalanta had ruled him out of the trip to Anfield, meaning that second-choice keeper Claudio Bravo - sent off during the week - will wear the gloves on Sunday.

Fernandinho is almost guaranteed to start in central defence, with the Brazilian's excellent radar and composure with the ball giving City extra poise at the back, but it remains unclear as to who will partner him.

John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi were used alternately against Southampton and Atalanta respectively, meaning that Guardiola has a tough decision to make - one that will end in favour of the Argentine, if only because he is less likely to produce a defensive mistake in the white-hot Anfield cauldron.

Following his heroics in goal on Wednesday night, Kyle Walker will be pleased to return to his more familiar position of right-back, while Benjamin Mendy looks likely to feature on the other side in light of a strong performance against Atalanta.

The role of Ilkay Gundogan, just like the role of opposite number Fabinho, will be crucial for when it comes to exerting control over the game. Klopp will be mindful of the fact that the German has struggled at Anfield in the past.

Completing the midfield will be the potentially lethal duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, both of whom are capable of pinning Liverpool in their own half. They will be expected to find space and calm in what promises to be a tight and furious midfield battle.

Having missed a penalty in the same fixture last season, Riyad Mahrez will be determined to stamp his authority on this game along with former Liverpool player Raheem Sterling, who is in excellent form this term, scoring 13 goals in all competitions for his club.

Up front, Guardiola looks likely to continue his policy of alternating between Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, the club's all time top goalscorer and their primary goal threat. The latter has never scored a goal at Anfield; the game on Sunday would represent a brilliant moment to break his duck.

ID:378335: cacheID:378335:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6778:
Written by
Leo Nieboer
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates scoring their second goal on November 5, 2019
Read Next:
How Liverpool could line up against Man City
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Lions
34-17
Bears
FT
Browns
6-24
Bengals
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Bills
FT
Titans
30-38
Colts
FT
Giants
7-34
Falcons
FT
Rams
19-9
Jets
FT
Cardinals
30-36
Panthers
FT
Eagles
33-36
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!