The battle continues again this weekend as Liverpool travel to the Etihad to fight for a top four position in the 2016/17 campaign.
Manchester City have become a sought rival Kopites look forward to meeting, often battling it out for Champions League opportunities or even the Premier League title, as was the case in 2014.
The last time these two teams met was 31st December and, despite a slightly slow game, Liverpool celebrated the New Year with a valuable three points thanks to 26-year-old Georginio Wijnaldum’s 8th minute header. The two teams still find themselves neck and neck in the Premier League with once again, everything to play for.
Klopp has had a few mixed results recently, beating Burnley and Arsenal comfortably whilst struggling to beat defending champions Leicester City and relegation-threatened Hull. Manchester City have also have mixed emotions in recent weeks, beating Huddersfield, Sunderland and Bournemouth but then being kicked out of the Champions League by Monaco, leaving Leicester City as the only English team left in this competition.
Currently the league looks like Chelsea’s to lose, standing at a comfortable 10 points ahead of second position Tottenham (56 points). Manchester City also have 56 points with Liverpool sitting in fourth, one behind on 55 points, although Man City do have a game in hand.
Liverpool will need the three points on Sunday to try and secure at least fourth place, as Pep Guardiola will not only want to secure a top position but also try to eliminate the threats faced by the London clubs possibly for the title. Chelsea do have a few sticky games left to play with Stoke this weekend, Man City and Man Utd to play in April whilst also still competing in the FA Cup.
Both Liverpool and Man City have been facing injury woes as the Reds have shown signs of missing skipper Jordan Henderson who is still on crutches with a foot injury and Daniel Sturridge who is the regular sick note, this time out with a hip injury. Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino are questionable also after showing some recovery from their own injuries. Man City are without Gundogan and striker Jesus who has a metatarsal fracture and is not expected to return till May.
Predictions for Sunday's match have been coming through thick and fast. Paul Merson predicts goals galore, John Aldridge believes Liverpool’s weakness ahead of Sunday’s clash is their defensive set pieces whilst Mark Lawrenson is predicting a 1-1 draw.
