Liverpool vs Manchester City
Premier League Gameweek 28
Venue – Anfield
Kick-off Time – 2 March; 7:45 PM (BST)
Liverpool have an immediate shot at redemption after their cruel defeat in the penalty shoot-out against Manchester City in the League Cup final on Sunday. The Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp explained that his team will ‘hit back 100%’ in the next game when they face the same opponents in the Barclays Premier League this mid-week.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are 9 points behind leaders Leicester City albeit with a game in hand and will need to take something from this game to stay in the hunt for the title. They have a busy schedule but need to get as many points as they can in the next few weeks to keep up the pressure or they will lag behind in the race come the end of the season.
It will be an intriguing fixture as there was hardly anything to chose between the two clubs in the last outing.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Tactical Setup
A lot will depend on who all are available for this match on either sides. Dejan Lovren could start in defense with Lucas Leiva, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel all missing out due to injuries. While defense could be a worry for Liverpool, but their forward play will be boosted with Coutinho back to his best.
City will need to keep an eye on the Brazilian as he loves scoring against them. Liverpool would play with a 4-3-3 formation while City would continue to operate with a 4-5-1 formation with Sergio Aguero up top while Yaya Toure venturing from a more advanced role.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Predicted Lineups
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Milner, Henderson, Can; Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana
Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernandinho, Fernando, Yaya, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
Liverpool vs Manchester City Key Battles
Raheem Sterling vs Nathaniel Clyne:
The young English winger was booed by the Liverpool supporters at Wembley and will surely be under the pump at Anfield. But he was a constant menace at the right for Liverpool but Nathaniel Clyne, Liverpool best defender this season was up to the task giving him no space on the flank. This battle will once again be an important one for both sides.
Phillipe Coutinho vs Vincent Kompany
At Wembley, Kompany was up against Daniel Sturridge who is still not as sharp as he was before his injuries. However, he will be up against a front three with the biggest threat coming from Brazil play-maker Phillipe Coutinho. Coutinho scored Liverpool’s equalizer at Wembley and will have to play an important role if his team are to take anything from this game.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Betting Odds
Liverpool: 17/10, Draw: 5/2, Manchester City: 15/8
Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction
The home side will go into the game knowing they lost out to a better team as a whole at Wembley. But it will be interesting to see how Klopp’s side performs at home with his team under no real pressure to win the game.
Liverpool do not really have a chance to aim at the Champions League and will enjoy their game against City. The visitors on the other end will have to be vary of complacency and will need a positive result to stay in the title race. Predicted Scoreline: Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City.
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