The top two sides on the Premier League table, Manchester City and Liverpool, separated just by a point meet each other at Etihad Stadium for an enchanting clash. With five more games to play after it, this could turn out to be the title-deciding fixture of the season.
Both of them had defining results midweek in Europe so the focus for this encounter is unchanged in both the camps. City have boasted a good record in their stadium in this fixture while Liverpool's winning run gives them enough confidence to dismantle anything on the road. It is a clash between the best of the best and the winners are tipped to crown themselves champions. A compelling title rivalry that is adding itself to some great faceoffs in the league history.
MCI vs LIV Premier League 2021-22 Match Details :
Date: 10 April 2020
Time: 17:00 (BST)/ 21:30 (IST)
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
MCI vs LIV Premier League 2021-22 Match Preview :
The kind of narrative building this fixture is similar to the 2018/19 season where Man City won this fixture by the narrowest of margins, a goal-line clearance of centre metres, to eventually beat Liverpool to the title by a solitary point. That time the Reds fell off from a healthy lead at the top. Guardiola's team find themselves in the same spot now to protect their one-point lead. Losing to Spurs and dropping points against Crystal Palace cut off an eight points lead City enjoyed over the second-placed team. Nevertheless, it is their title to lose so the current holders will give it all. As said, City carries an unbeaten record over Liverpool at this venue in the Premier League losing only once in seven years, that too in the Champions League. With no loss in the last eight in all competitions this season, Guardiola will be optimistic to sail through this. City knows they have to just avoid defeat on Sunday and win the rest of their contest this season. It will be enough to pocket the fourth title in five seasons.
It leaves Liverpool to win this massive clash and do the same for the remainder of the season to clinch the silverware. Jurgen Klopp has never won at Etihad facing Guardiola in the Premier League and against City since a 4-1 win in his first season as manager at the club. Liverpool have slowly grown to proximity with their title challengers and have become a side Guardiola fears to face each season. Both have high respect for one other with Klopp calling his counterpart the best coach in the world. However, no one else will be more animated than these two on the touchline this weekend. Looking for a quadruple this term, the clash serves as a very important one for Liverpool to stamp their authority. Additional confidence for the FA Cup semifinal, also against City and the Champions League. The Reds have stood invincible for the last ten games in the league with a wish to stay immune in the next one to have the title parade in front of fans they missed two seasons back.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Man City: WWWDD
Liverpool: WWWWW
MCI vs LIV Premier League 2021-22 Expected Lineups
Man City: Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling
Liverpool: Alisson Becker; Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane
MCI vs LIV Premier League 2021-22 Team News :
As said by Guardiola a week ago, Ruben Dias is not available on Sunday after missing his last six games with a hamstring injury. Cole Palmer is the other player out through a foot injury.
Jurgen Klopp said in his pre-match presser that the entire team is fit to play the central fixture.
MCI vs LIV Head to Head
Both these sides were involved in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield earlier this season. Sadio Mane gave the home side the lead before Phil Foden scored the leveller in front of the Kop. Salah's unearthly footwork exploded the place but Kevin de Bruyne found the net with ten minutes left on the clock to share the spoils. It left Liverpool winless in the last four meetings while they haven't won at Etihad in the Premier League since 2015. The previous encounter over here also ended in a draw.
MCI vs LIV Premier League 2021-22 Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Alisson (8.5)
DEF: Walker (8.5), Stones (8.5), Van Dijk (9.0), Robertson (9.5)
MID: De Bruyne (10), Fabinho (8.5), B. Silva (9)
FW: Foden (9), Jota (10), Sterling (9.5)
Captain: De Bruyne
Vice Captain: Van Dijk
