Liverpool’s first game after the departure of star playmaker Philippe Coutinho sees Jurgen Klopp’s side host league leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds are eighteen points behind Pep Guardiola’s side and will be seeking to avenge the 5-0 thrashing that the Citizens inflicted upon them in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Man City are the only side not to lose in the league this season and Liverpool are the only team apart from them to remain undefeated at home in the 17/18 PL campaign, which makes this a real blockbuster clash on paper.
City go into this game on the back of a 2-1 win in midweek in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal against Bristol City. Pep Guardiola’s side needed a late winner from Sergio Aguero to see off the plucky Robins, who gave the home fans plenty of nervous moments at the Etihad.
Liverpool were last seen in action in the FA Cup, when they beat Merseyside rivals Everton thanks to a goal on debut from Virgil van Dijk, who recently became the world’s most expensive defender when he transferred to the Reds from Southampton. This game will mark the Dutch international’s league debut and City’s attack, statistically the best in the PL (64 goals from 25 games), will be a stern test of his credentials.
In the absence of Coutinho, Liverpool fans will be encouraged by the news that Mo Salah, their top scorer this season, has begun training after missing the club’s last two games with a groin problem. Salah has been linked with Real Madrid following Coutinho’s departure to Barcelona and a fantastic performance at Anfield could see interest from Los Blancos increase.
Liverpool do however boast an enviable home record against City- they’re undefeated at Anfield against the Citizens since 2003 and have won the last four at home against Pep Guardiola’s side. That makes this a tough game to call and it’s reflected in the odds, with the Reds being quoted at 11/5 and City at 9/7 at the time of writing. Don’t forget to use the Bonus code generator website before betting on this fixture.
Man City have Gabriel Jesus as a long term absentee, with a knee injury keeping the Brazilian striker, who scored twice in City’s 5-0 demolition of Liverpool earlier in the season, out of this fixture. This is City’s first away league game of the season, having drawn 0-0 with Palace and edged struggling Newcastle 1-0 in their last two on the road.
The referee for this game is Andre Marriner, who was also the man in charge when Spurs beat Liverpool 4-1 in October- the Reds’ last competitive defeat before embarking on their current 17 game unbeaten streak.
Liverpool and Man City form (last five games in all competitions)
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
Burnley 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City
Liverpool 5-0 Swansea City
Arsenal 3-3 Liverpool
Man City 2-1 Bristol City
Man City 4-1 Burnley
Man City 3-1 Watford
Crystal Palace 0-0 Man City
Newcastle United 0-1 Man City
Liverpool v Man City kicks off at 4pm UK on 14 January, 2018 (Sunday) with Andre Marriner as referee