Fresh from a morale-sapping 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace, Liverpool turn their attention toward a daunting visit to Premier League leaders Manchester City this weekend.
Despite beating the out-of-sorts champions Chelsea last month, Saturday's contest at Eastlands could prove to be the Reds' biggest test in Jurgen Klopp's short reign so far.
Manchester City
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What a difference a year makes for Manuel Pellegrini and co, who were eight points behind eventual Premier League champions Chelsea this time 12 months ago. Nowadays, it is Manchester City at the summit and their chances of a third league title look very good.
As it stands, only Arsenal, who sit second on goal difference, look like challenging Pellegrini's troops for the top prize come May. Leicester City are just one point behind, while Manchester United sit two adrift in fourth, but the Sky Blues are big favourites to finish top of the pile.
It was a 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on September 26 which appears to have slapped City with a reality check following a barnstorming start to the campaign - and they have responded to it superbly. If they did suffer scars from what happened at White Hart Lane, they certainly did not reveal them.
Since being humbled at Spurs, the Citizens smashed Newcastle United 6-1 at the Etihad, before thumping Bournemouth 5-1 at the same location two weeks later.
Saturday will see the return of fit-again marksman Sergio Aguero, who has not featured for his club since scoring five against the Magpies in early October.
With summer signings Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling also enjoying smooth transitions to life at the Etihad, City look like strong candidates to reclaim the title that was effortlessly wrested from them by Chelsea last term.
Recent form: LWWDWD
Recent form (all competitions): WDWWWD
Liverpool
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With one victory, one defeat and two draws coming in Klopp's first four Premier League games, it would be fair to say that the Liverpool boss is yet to make his mark on Merseyside.
He declared himself as the 'normal one' in his first press conference. Such a modest statement off the field has reflected a series of modest statements on it as the Reds struggle for consistency under their new manager.
The 48-year-old has never shied away from the idea that he has plenty of work to do in order to fulfil his promise of winning the title before he leaves - and the sheer scale of that task was exposed after losing to the Eagles at Anfield just before the international break.
It was a defeat which brought them back down to earth, having beaten the champions at Stamford Bridge eight days previous for what was Klopp's first league victory in England.
Prior to that, two relatively unflattering draws came away to Spurs and home to Southampton. If he and Liverpool are a match made in heaven, there is a lot to be done to prove it.
With the January transfer window looming large, the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach warned his troops that they have five weeks in order to play for their futures under him.
Despite his unspectacular start, Klopp cannot be judged until he has time to shape the team in his image, but he still has enough quality at his disposal to secure Champions League qualification at a minimum. With seven points to make up, it is a tough ask for Liverpool, who sit 10th.
Recent form: WDDDWL
Recent form (all competitions): DDWWWL
Team News
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Pellegrini confirmed that Aguero would return to his squad following a six-week absence with a hamstring injury. The Argentine is expected to pull on a City shirt for the first time since scoring five in the demolition of Newcastle on October 3.
There is less optimistic news elsewhere, though, as the Chilean revealed that David Silva would not be risked as he continues his recovery following an ankle problem, while striker Wilfried Bony and captain Vincent Kompany are also ruled out.
Midfielder Samir Nasri will not play again this year after revealing earlier this week that he is scheduled to miss the next three months.
For Liverpool, striker Daniel Sturridge said that he was 'fit and ready' for a first appearance under Klopp, having been missing since early October with a knee issue, but the German manager was uncertain if he would risk the England international.
One man who will definitely miss out is Mamadou Sakho, who is sidelined for up to two months with knee ligament damage as the much-maligned Dejan Lovren is expected to deputise.
Meanwhile, James Milner is in contention to start on the return to his former home following a brief absence through injury.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Hart; Sagna, Mangala, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Toure, Sterling; Aguero
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Lallana, Ibe, Coutinho; Benteke
Head To Head
Dirk Kuyt lashed home a last-minute winner when Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 in 2008 for what remains their last Premier League victory at the Etihad. Since then, both sides have won four games apiece in all competitions, with the other seven ending in draws.
We say: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
Liverpool's win at Chelsea will have given them plenty of belief that they can match England's elite, but visiting City is a much tougher prospect at the moment. Unlike the Blues, the Citizens look like genuine contenders for the title come May, and we reckon that they will strengthen those credentials with a narrow win over Klopp and co.
Shane Callaghan
