Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for Saturday's late kickoff, and it is the standout tie of the weekend in the Premier League as Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. This two sides have traditionally put on entertaining spectacles in their recent meetings, so hopefully we will see more of the same today as Manuel Pellegrini and Jurgen Klopp face off in the English top flight for the first time. Before we get to that, though, let's have a look at the team news...

MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Sagna, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernando, Toure, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Clichy, Otamendi, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Delph, Iheanacho

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho; Firmino

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Toure, Randall, Allen, Ibe, Sturridge, Benteke

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, it was always going to be an interesting set of team news, and starting with the hosts the headlines are all about the return of Sergio Aguero to the starting XI. The Argentine has missed the last seven games with a hamstring injury, not playing a single minute for the club since scoring five goals against Newcastle. Liverpool won't be happy to see him back as he has scored in all three of his league games against the Reds here at the Etihad Stadium.

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Perhaps the next most notable inclusion in the Man City starting lineup is that of Raheem Sterling, who faces his former club for the first time since his acrimonious departure from Anfield in the summer. He spent five years with the club and scored 23 goals in 129 appearances, but it all turned sour at the end and he is sure to take a bit of stick from the away fans in the Etihad this evening.

In all, Manuel Pellegrini has made four changes to the side that drew with Villa last time out, with two of those coming in defence as both Kompany and Otamendi miss out, the former through injury. Demichelis and Mangala are chosen as the centre-back partnership, while Sagna and Kolarov retain their places on the flanks despite the presence of both Clichy and Zabaleta, who is available despite concerns over a knee injury on the bench.

Further forward, the impressive Kevin De Bruyne continues behind the striker and alongside Sterling, and he is joined this week by Jesus Navas, who replaces Fernandinho in the side that drew with Villa. That means that Yaya Toure will drop back into a deeper midfield role alongside Fernando, while Silva is still sidelined and absent from the squad entirely.

Liverpool fans will have been waiting the team news with as much anticipation as City fans, but unlike the hosts their star striker doesn't not come straight back into the starting lineup. Indeed, there is no recognised striker in the starting XI at all for the visitors here, as Firmino is deployed as the furthest forward. Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge, who is yet to play under Klopp and has managed just 242 minutes all season, are both on the bench.

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In all, Klopp has made three changes to the side beaten by Palace before the international break, with one of those seeing Milner make a return to the Etihad for the first time since leaving in the summer. While Sterling isn't likely to be well received by the visiting fans, Milner can expect a warmer reception from the home supporters today. He makes his return from injury to partner Lucas and Emre Can in midfield.

Perhaps the main threat in that Liverpool team will come from Philippe Coutinho, though. The Brazilian made a rather slow start to life under Jurgen Klopp, but he is starting to find his best form now and was on the scoresheet against Palace last time out too. He has come up with some important goals against City in recent years too, scoring three times in his four league meetings with today's opponents.

The third change is an enforced one at the back as Dejan Lovren returns to the starting XI to replace the injured Sakho, but Clyne, Skrtel and Moreno all keep their places in the side. Mignolet also remains between the sticks having kept 13 Premier League clean sheets in 2015, a tally only bettered by his opposite number Joe Hart (14).

There is little doubt that the hosts will come into this match as favourites to come away with the victory, but at the same time Manuel Pellegrini will know that this will be one of his side's toughest tests of the season here at the Etihad Stadium. The prize for victory will be a return to the top of the table having been knocked off the summit by local rivals Manchester United in the day's early kickoff.

Leicester will also leapfrog the Citizens when the full-time whistle blows in their match against Newcastle, with the Foxes currently leading 3-0, but Arsenal have missed the chance to apply a little more pressure as they are trailing 2-1 to West Brom in the closing stages at The Hawthorns. City's superior goal difference means that they are still above the Gunners, while a win this evening would keep them one point clear of Leicester and two clear of United, just as they were at the start of the day.

Despite being without Aguero for the last seven weeks, City have their attack to thank for keeping them at the top of the table, which makes the Argentine's return all the more ominous. City began the day as the league's top scorers with 26, while at the other end of the field they have impressed too. No team has conceded fewer than them after Watford's penalty against United brought the Red Devils level with them on nine goals let in.

They come into this match in fine form too, remaining unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions, since that shock 4-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham back in September. That seemed to be the wake-up call they perhaps needed at that stage of the season as they have won nine and drawn two of their games since then, scoring 25 goals in the process.

One slight concern may be that both of those draws were goalless ones and have come in their last three league games after a run of 60 top-flight outings without a stalemate. The most recent of those was the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa in Remi Garde's first match at the helm, although they certainly created enough chances to have won the game fairly comfortably. De Bruyne missed the best of the lot from close range, while Fernando also hit the crossbar with a header late on. They couldn't find the goal, however, as they dropped two points against a side who are bottom of the table.

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City are back at the Etihad this evening, though, and they have a formidable record on home soil in recent times. They have won 12 of their last 13 Premier League games in front of their own fans, while in all competitions they have won each of their last five after losing consecutive home games for the first time since January 2012. They boast the best home record in the Premier League this season, although one blot on their copybook is that they have not kept a clean sheet at home since August - a run of seven games.

Incredibly, City were eight points behind Chelsea at this stage last season, but before the start of today they led the reigning champions by 15 points - although that gap has now been cut to 12. It is, in fact, City's third best start to a Premier League season ever, after 2011-12 and 2012-13, and for many people they remain pretty clear favourites to go on and win the title, particularly after results today.

Today's results can also be seen as good for Liverpool, who remain hopeful of challenging for a top-four spot despite a rather inauspicious start to the season. They began the day 10th in the league having managed just 17 points from their 12 matches so far, while the Jurgen Klopp era has not exactly got off to a flying start, with one win, two draws and one defeat from his four league games so far.

Neither Klopp nor Rodgers were helped by injuries, however, and that has been most clearly felt up front for Liverpool. Benteke and Sturridge are only fit enough to make the bench this evening, and that has been the story for much of the season. Even so, their tally of just 13 goals scored in 12 games is still hugely disappointing, and is in fact their joint-worst total at this stage of a Premier League season ever.

They began the day as the only team in the top half of the table with a negative goal difference, although defeats have actually been relatively few and far between. Draw have been the main problem for Liverpool this season, with nine in their last 16 games compared to four victories and three defeats, excluding penalties. The loss to Palace last time out was their first in 13 matches in all competitions, but that is a rather misleading statistic in truth.

It was also their first defeat under Klopp, who began his reign with three draws before following that up with three successive victories, including away to Chelsea. That victory at Stamford Bridge is one of just two occasions where they have scored more than one goal in a game all season, however, while it is the only match that they have won by two goals or more. It certainly is a far cry from the Luis Suarez-Daniel Sturridge connection.

Away from home Liverpool have only been beaten once in eight outings all season, although that solitary defeat did come on their last trip to Manchester against United. They have won three and drawn four of the other seven games on the road this season, which isn't too bad considering that they have played pretty much all of the big boys on their travels - today included. In the Premier League, they have won one, drawn three and lost one away from home.

Victory today would hand Liverpool their first back-to-back away Premier League victories since March, but their chances again come down to whether they can find their scoring touch. Their chance conversion rate of 10.5% is the worst in the Premier League, which obviously goes a long way to explaining why they are the lowest scorers in the top half of the table.

They did manage a goal against Palace at Anfield last time out, but some poor defending let them down on that occasions as Bolasie and Dann scored either side of Coutinho's strike to condemn Klopp to his first loss. The Reds had two chances to clear the ball before Bolasie lashed home the opener, while Mignolet palmed the ball straight back into the danger area for Dann to have a second go and nod home the winner. Liverpool perhaps didn't deserve to win that match, but both goals were certainly avoidable.

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PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Etihad, which means that it is time for a prediction! Liverpool usually raise their game when they take on Man City, but the hosts will no doubt be boosted by the return of Aguero. That might just give them the edge in what I expect to be a relatively close encounter. I'm going for a 2-1 home victory.

These games usually provide goals, with at least three having been scored in each of the last six Premier League meetings between the two sides, and 23 going in overall during that time. However, Liverpool's record here is not great, with Dirk Kuyt the last player to get a winning goal for the Reds at the Etihad back in 2008.

There have been six meetings here since that 3-2 win for Liverpool, four of which have been won by the hosts and two of which have ended all square. That 2008 loss is also their only defeat in the last nine meetings here, although it is a little more evenly spread out over that time with four wins and four draws in the other eight games.

The last time these two sides met when in March, and Liverpool came out on top in that game when goals from Henderson and Coutinho helped them to a 2-1 victory. City triumphed 3-1 in the last meeting here, however, with Jovetic grabbing two and Aguero another in August of last year.

One notable stat today is that Man City have allowed the fewest shots on target against them in the league this season (28), which could well prove telling considering Liverpool's recent struggles in front of goal. City have, incidentally, also managed the most shots on target in the Premier League this season, with 83.

Before we get started, both sets of players link arms for the French national anthem, which is being played before every Premier League game this weekend as a tribute to those affected by the terror attacks in Paris last Friday.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Liverpool get us underway in the headline fixture of the weekend at the Etihad Stadium.

Bright play early on from Aguero as he shrugs off Lucas before taking the ball into the box, but Skrtel is there to mop up and dispossess the Argentine.

Risky business from Hart as he comes a long way off his line to deal with a ball down the Liverpool right, and he is still stranded as the visitors take a quick throw. Liverpool can't take full advantage, though.

What a start for Liverpool! They take the lead with only seven minutes on the clock as Coutinho dispossess Sagna on the right and immediately carries the ball at the City defence. He slides a pass to Firmino, who beats Mangala's offside trap, and as the City defender is trying to get back he knocks Firmino's low cross past his own keeper! It is a catalogue of errors from City, but Liverpool don't care one bit.

Liverpool have made a really bright start to this match, even before that goal. They are looking to get right in the faces of City, which should make for a good, fast-tempo match here at the Etihad.

A hint of a penalty shout for City as a corner eventually falls to Sterling inside the box, and the former Liverpool man goes down under a clumsy-looking challenge. Jonathan Moss is quick to say no, however, and on first viewing it looks like he has made the right call.

This is end-to-end stuff right now! Both sides are looking to break at every available opportunity, and so far this game has lived up to expectations. Let's hope it continues!

Liverpool are almost in behind again as Clyne slides the pass through to Lallana, but the ball arrives just a fraction too late and the linesman raises his flag.

City just haven't quite got going at the moment in this one. Liverpool have rattled them in this opening quarter of an hour or so and Klopp will be delighted with what he has seen so far.

Another narrow offside flag against Lallana in an even better position, but again it is the correct decision from the linesman. Those runs from Lallana are causing a few problems for this City defence, though.

SHOT! More careless play from City as they gift the ball to Liverpool again and the visitors pour forward. The ball is eventually slid across to Milner, who blasts a long-range effort off target.

Better from City as they begin to build a bit of sustained pressure, keeping the ball inside the Liverpool half well.

Fantastic delivery from De Bruyne as he fires a drilled cross right into the six-yard box. Aguero can't quite get there at the near post, though, while Clyne clears the danger in front of Sterling.

Oh my word, Liverpool double their lead midway through the first half! It is a lightning counter from the visitors as Firmino picks the ball up after some more dodgy play from Mangala and Demichelis. There is still plenty to do, but Firmino does it brilliantly by picking out Coutinho with a tremendous blind pass into the box. From there it is a relatively simple finish for Coutinho, who slides it past Hart from close range.

Still Liverpool come forward, and they are looking dangerous every time they do attack at the moment. City had a settled period for a couple of minutes a few moments ago, but for the most part they have looked very shaky here.

City just need to calm themselves down here. They are not used to this situation at home and they look a bit shell-shocked at the moment, to the extent that Pellegrini may even be content to just reach half time with just a two-goal deficit.

Very nearly a chance for City to give themselves a foothold in the game as Toure threads a beauty of a pass through the eye of the needle. Sterling is on the end of it, but he can't take it in his stride and the chance goes begging.

PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for City here as Aguero races into the box down the left channel before cutting inside when trying to beat Skrtel. The Liverpool defender slides in and Aguero claims that it hit the hand, but Jonathan Moss is unmoved.

This is quite incredible stuff! Liverpool add a third, and it is a truly magnificent goal. Moments after Coutinho stings the palms of Hart with a powerful drive from range, he picks the ball back up and slides a pass to Can. The German back-heels it back into the path of the Brazilian, who in turn slides a short pass to Firmino to tap home into the empty net.

Is there any way back for Man City in this one? It certainly doesn't look like it right now. Liverpool have been quite brilliant in this first half and they look like adding a few more too.

CHANCE! Another huge chance for a fourth from Liverpool! It is another horror show from City as Mangala and Fernando get in each other's way before playing a square pass too far in front of Demichelis. Coutinho gets there and plays the ball through to Firmino, who is thwarted by Hart.

CLOSE! This is a joy to watch at the moment. Liverpool are playing some incredible football here, and Coutinho is at the heart of everything. He gets the ball on the edge of the area before flicking it over the head of his marker to Firmino. His compatriot takes the ball down before watching his scuffed effort bobble agonisingly wide of the post with Hart beaten.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the evening goes to Lucas, who pulled Aguero back off the ball after the Argentine had laid the ball off.

If there is one team who you can't really count out at 3-0 down, it is probably Man City at home. Liverpool have been superb so far, but if City can grab one back before half time then it could raise a bit of the shattered belief around this ground.

A slight worry for Liverpool here as Can goes down following a clash with Sterling, who went in with his studs raised. The ball was there to be won in a 50-50 duel, however, and the referee is right not to award a free kick either way.

How big could this moment be? City pull a goal back just before half time as Mignolet and Skrtel try to play out from the back. The latter gives the ball away and City get is straight to Aguero, who places his effort perfectly into the bottom corner. Brilliant finish from the Argentine, and that is exactly what they needed. Game on?

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of what has been an incredible first half at the Etihad.

It is all City at the end of this half, and suddenly it is Liverpool who are looking forward to the half-time whistle. They may still be two goals up, but these are nervous times for the visitors. It is incredible how goals can change games!

Wow. What a magnificent first half of football that was. We were hoping, perhaps even expecting, plenty of entertainment today, but that opening 45 minutes surpassed all expectations. Liverpool lead 3-1 ast the break having raced into a three-goal lead playing some scintillating football along the way. It is by no means game over just yet, however, as Aguero's late strike has given City a glimmer of hope going into the second half.

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The opening goal came after just seven minutes, and it was a sign of things to come for City as some calamitous defending let them down. Sagna was caught in possession by Coutinho inside his own half, while Mangala chose to step up instead of tracking the run of Firmino when the two Brazilians combined. That left Mangala out of position when Firmino picked the ball up, and the City defender could only turn the low cross past his own keeper.

Liverpool continued to swarm all over City and had a second goal by the midway point in the half as the home defence gave the ball away carelessly to Firmino, who fired a magnificent reverse pass into the path of Coutinho for a simple finish from close range. It was another avoidable goal from City's point of view, but Liverpool finished it off brilliantly.

A third arrived less than 10 minutes later as Liverpool found themselves 3-0 ahead after a little more than half an hour, this time Firmino adding the finishing touch to a brilliant move. Coutinho gave the ball to Can, who in turn back-heeled it back into the path of the Brazilian. The City defence was AWOL, not for the first time today, and that allowed Coutinho to slide the pass to Firmino for a simple finish into the empty net.

However, even at 3-0 there was a sense that City had the ability to drag themselves back into the game, and the momentum swung in their favour towards the end of the half when Aguero fired a fine finish into the bottom corner from outside the box. This time it was Liverpool's turn to make a mistake as Skrtel gave the ball away, and City are now very much in this match at the halfway stage.

Liverpool had a couple of great chances to add a fourth before City got one back, with Coutinho and Firmino playing some samba football in and around the area. Hart was needed to deny Firmino just three minutes after the third goal had gone in, while only a minute later the same player sent one bobbling narrowly wide after some stunning play from Coutinho.

KICKOFF: City get us back underway for this second half, and they have made two changes at the break with Navas and Toure making way to be replaced by Fabian Delph and Fernandinho.

YELLOW CARD! Can goes into the book for a sliding challenge on Fernandinho, but it is a harsh one as the German got the ball. They are fouls more often than not nowadays, but that didn't deserve a yellow card.

Milner is very fortunate to get away without joining his teammates in the book having stepped across the path of De Bruyne to prevent the attacker getting forward. Jonathan Moss settles for a free kick, which comes to nothing.

The changes initially seemed to work for City, who started the second half brightly, but Liverpool come back with a counter-thrust here. I get the feeling we could be in for another very entertaining half here.

Fernandinho has provided plenty of energy and dynamism in midfield since coming on, which you don't necessarily get from Toure. It is a much more even contest right now.

Important defending from Milner at the back post as he nods a dangerous ball behind to prevent De Bruyne from what would have been a fairly simple finish.

The resulting corner is cleared all the way out Delph, who is afforded space to carry the ball forward. He finds the shot from range too tempting, and can only drag a tame effort harmlessly wide.

Can opens City up with another back-heel, this time to Moreno down the left. The full-back drills a powerful low cross into the box and Firmino is waiting to tap it in, but City do just about enough to survive.

There is still a rather frantic feeling about this game. Neither side exactly feel in control at the moment, which is making for nervous viewing for both sets of fans. The next goal in this game is so important.

CHANCE! Another huge chance for Liverpool to get a fourth, and another huge save from Hart! It is more nice football from Liverpool and more messy defending from City, who don't seem to know who should be going where. The ball is slid through to Firmino with only Hart to beat, but the City keeper diverts it wide with his trailing leg. That was a golden chance.

Liverpool have the ball in the back of the net again, but the linesman's flag is rightly up for offside. It is another huge chance for Liverpool as the ball is lifted over to Firmino, and the visitors have a two-on-one situation. The ball arrives to Coutinho too late, however, and the Brazilian rounds the keeper and slides it home to no avail.

CHANCE! Huge chance for City this time! Milner tries to play the ball back to Mignolet but doesn't put enough on his back-pass, allowing Sterling to race on to it. He is held up well and has to play the ball back to Aguero, who sees his effort denied by a fine save from Mignolet. Big, big chance for the hosts.

CHANCE! Speaking of big chances - here is another for City. De Bruyne whips a magnificent cross into the box from a free kick, whipping it right into the corridor of uncertainty. It eludes all of the Liverpool defenders to find Fernando, but he can't keep it down from close range.

MAN CITY SUB: The third and find change from the hosts sees Aguero make way to be replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho. Not an ideal sub for Pellegrini to have to make at this stage of the game, but he is looking at the bigger picture.

LIVERPOOL SUB: This is just what Liverpool don't need. Coutinho, who has been quite brilliant today, limps off with what looks like a hamstring injury to be replaced by Jordon Ibe.

Well, somehow there hasn't been any addition to the score since half time, but we still have 20 minutes remaining in what has been an enthralling, breathless affair. Liverpool will be happy if no more goals are scored in the remainder of the match, though!

CHANCE! A lot of chances are falling to Firmino, who could have had four or five to himself today. City are again all at sea defensively from a Liverpool corner, unable to clear their lines. The loose ball falls to Firmino, who manages to squeeze a shot away, but it lacks any power and is easy for Hart.

Firmino tries to do too much this time before being robbed of possession in a dangerous position, but Lucas is quickly there to win the ball back. Good covering from the midfielder there.

Nervy moment for Liverpool as De Bruyne slides a cross into a dangerous area. Mignolet has it comfortably covered, but Lovren takes no chances and puts it behind for a corner before pulling up with cramp.

LIVERPOOL SUB: A second change for Liverpool sees Christian Benteke introduced in place of Firmino, who has played very well today despite missing a few great chances.

Ibe races down the left flank before seeing his cut back stolen off the toes of Benteke and City immediately hit Liverpool on the break. Clyne misjudges a ball to De Bruyne and commits himself, allowing the Belgian to come forward down the left. He plays an early ball across to Iheanacho, but the youngster's touch is poor before he curls one well wide.

Very good goalkeeping from Mignolet as he comes a long way off his line to sweep up a good ball over the top that looked to have sent Sterling through on goal. Time is running out for the hosts here.

CHANCE! Another incredible chance for Liverpool to put this game to bed once and for all. They hit City on the break as Ibe plays the ball through to Benteke, who has the entire City half to himself. He seems to wait for Mangala before bouncing off the defender and seeing his effort brilliantly saved by Hart.

Nothing Hart can do about that one! Liverpool finally wrap up the victory, and it is a stunner from Skrtel that does it! The ball drops loose to him from a corner and he lashes a magnificent half-volley past Hart. The ball was past the City keeper before he could react!

What a performance this has been from Liverpool. Not many teams win here, yet alone score four, but in truth this one could have been seven or eight for Liverpool. City have been forced to rely on Hart to keep the score down here.

CLOSE! City are close to getting a second back as Delph's initial effort is parried away by Mignolet only as far as De Bruyne. The Belgian, who has been City's best outfield player by some distance today, fires a fine cross across the face of goal, but Sterling can't connect with it for a tap-in at the back post.

This has been a fantastic match, it must be said. It has to be up there as one of the best games so far this season, and it is certainly Liverpool's best performance of the campaign. For City, they are on the verge of a second home defeat of the season and a second 4-1 loss this term.

CLOSE! There may be another goal in this one yet. Liverpool come forward on the break but are dispossessed and City immediately counter themselves. Iheanacho picks the ball up down the right and feeds the ball inside for Fernandinho, but he sends his effort narrowly wide.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Klopp makes his third and final change as Kolo Toure replaces Lallana.

We are into the first of four minutes added time at the end of this incredible match.

Plenty of noise from the away end in the closing stages, as you would imagine. They haven't had a really convincing performance for some time now, but this certainly comes into that bracket, particularly considering the level of opposition.

Hands up then, who saw that coming?! Jonathan Moss brings an end to a quite remarkable match at the Etihad as City, who had the best home record in the league coming into today, are swept aside by Liverpool. The visitors had scored just 13 goals all season before today, but they have four to celebrate here and it could have been so much more. It is the first time in 12 years that City have conceded four goals at home.

That means that Leicester will end today top of the table! Liverpool, for their part, close the gap on the top four to six points, but this win gives them so much more than just the three points. It was a superb display from the Reds and perhaps what many were expecting from Klopp when he first arrived at the club. They were helped by some pretty horrendous defending from City, but take nothing away from the visitors' performance here.

The opening goal arrived after just seven minutes when Mangala turned the ball into his own net, and Coutinho added a second midway through the first half. A stunned Etihad saw a third goal conceded shortly after the half-hour mark when Coutinho and Firmino combined again, with the latter adding the finishing touch this time, although he also missed a couple of chances for a fourth moments later. Aguero gave City hope right at the end of the half by pulling a goal back, but Skrtel thunderous strike nine minutes from time put the game to bed once and for all.

That is all we have time for this evening! What an incredible day of football it has been, and this was a pretty special way to round it off as Liverpool run out 4-1 winners over Man City at the Etihad. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings - you won't want to miss them! We have one game on offer for you tomorrow afternoon and another on Monday evening, so check back into Sports Mole for live coverage of those. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!