Liverpool vs Manchester City preview
For Liverpool, it seems they are only unprecedented highs followed by historic lows this season. Jurgen Klopp’s men either produce insipid displays or blow the opposition out of the water. However, they will need to be at their best against their next opponent, i.e. Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s men have been a class apart and look certain to retain their Premier League title, with only Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal looking like a title contender.
Leading the line for City has been Erling Haaland, who signed for Manchester City this summer. However, even the most optimistic of people would not have been able to predict his insane start with the Cityzens. The Norwegian has been a machine, scoring 20 goals in 13 matches 15 of these have come in the Premier League, seven more than second-placed Harry Kane.
Haaland has developed a telepathic understanding with Kevin de Bruyne, who has racked up nine assists in the league, more than twice of second-placed Bernardo Silva.
For Liverpool, it has been one of the worst starts to their season in recent memory. The team has blown hot and cold throughout the season. For instance, Liverpool have scored 20 goals in 10 matches, a respectable record until you notice nine of them came in a single game against Bournemouth. It is the same case in the Champions League, where they have scored 12 goals, seven of which came against Rangers last night.
And now Klopp must hope their Gegenpressing tactics works to perfection against Manchester City. Liverpool have repeatedly shown their defensive fragility by conceding late goals to throw away victories. However, this is not even an option against a side of City’s calibre, and Klopp will need all his players to step up.
A win for Liverpool will serve as a massive boost for them for the rest of the reason.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
City in the form of their lives, Liverpool declining. Haaland and Foden are scoring goals for fun with KDB marching through the middle. Diaz is out, Trent is out and the reds' defence looks worse than ever
Full Time: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
— Baldiola (@TeacherOfBall) October 10, 2022
Liverpool vs Manchester City team news
Despite their woeful form, Liverpool have also had bad luck in terms of injuries. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Arthur Melo, Naby Keita, Luis Diaz, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander Arnold and Joel Matip are all on the sidelines. Out of these, Arthur and Luis Diaz are not expected to be back before the new year. Furthermore, none of these players are expected to be back for the clash. This makes an already arduous task look nearly impossible.
Predicted Liverpool lineup: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Nunez, Firmino, Salah
While Manchester City may not have an injury list as extensive as Liverpool’s, it is enough to throw a spanner in the works. This is because it has affected their depth at full-back. Kyle Walker has suffered a groyne injury, with Guardiola still unsure when the Englishman will be back. To make matters worse, new signing Sergio Gomez was given a straight red card against Copenhagen in the Champions League. This has earned him a suspension for two additional matches, meaning he will not be able to face which could force Guardiola to play Nathan Ake at left-back.
Predicted Manchester City lineup: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Ake; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne’ Mahrez, Foden, Haaland
Liverpool have now conceded three Opta-defined counter attack (a.k.a. 'fast break') goals in the league this season.
Only once in the last 13 full seasons did they concede more (four in 2019/20, three before the title was won).
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) October 9, 2022
Gamechangers
If there is a team that needs a game-changer to step up for them, it is undoubtedly Liverpool. The match against Manchester City is their most challenging assignment of the season. However, with so many injuries, chopping and changing, few players have been able to feature regularly. One of the few regular players has been Mohamed Salah. And the Egyptian has returned to form at the opportune moment scoring a five-minute hat-trick against Rangers.
On the other hand, City, like every year, are stacked with world-class talent. However, no one in the squad has come close to having the impact of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne. The duo have formed a destructive partnership, leaving every opposition in tatters. And they will be expected to do the same against Liverpool. A win against the Reds would add even more pressure on rivals who already look to be fighting a losing battle.
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Liverpool vs Manchester City predictions
This is the first time in years that there is a clear favourite tipped to win going into the match. The two teams have given us some of the best clashes recently. However, this time Liverpool look far inferior to City and could lose the game.
However, the Anfield crowd and their recent performance against Rangers could be enough to salvage a point.
FootTheBall predicts a 2-2 draw.