Pep Guardiola's Little Shop of Horrors opens its doors back up for him tomorrow at 11:30 AM EST when his title-defending side who sit top of the table faces the team level with them on points in an early massive match. It's the second straight weekend for Liverpool to be taking on a top two side, with Champions League disappointment in Napoli sandwiched in-between. Liverpool look to enter the second consecutive international break early in the season out in front in the table, but it's going to be a tough ask.
Team News:
The primary injury for Liverpool is Naby Keita, who went off after less than 20 minutes on the pitch in Napoli with a back spasm. It seemed worrisome for Liverpool early, especially considering it was non-contact, but reports are good and Jurgen Klopp seems optimistic that his midfielder should be just fine, saying "it didn't look too serious, so there's a chance." Keita's inclusion in at least the squad would be positive for Liverpool, even if he is not fully fit to start. It certainly seems to be a game time decision for the Guinean man in the middle. Back in full training also is Adam Lallana, who seems fully recovered from his groin strain suffered on international duty. It's slightly later than had been hoped, with an initial hope of being back by the end of September, but the addition of the 30-year-old will give the squad some extra depth as their run continues. Of course, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a long-term out, but I'm going to mention him in a bit.
Manchester City have their own slew of injury questions, including a vital one for the match's outcome. Kevin De Bruyne suffered an LCL lesion while in training in mid-August, and this has been the match marked out as his potential return. The time has come, and Guardiola indeed confirmed that the Belgian midfielder is back in training and "in the frame" to make his return for City this weekend. The presence of De Bruyne would obviously be huge. Additionally, Benjamin Mendy was in full training on Friday as thus could be involved in the match plans as well. Ilkey Gundogen is in a similar situation as Naby Keita where he went off midweek with an injury, sat out training Friday, and remains a late check for the weekend's match. Finally, Fabian Delph was ruled out by Guardiola, meaning Aymeric Laporte or Oleksandr Zinchenko will occupy left back if Mendy is ruled out late.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected Manchester City Line-Up: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, D. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Previewing the Match:
The first aspect of this match that I think will be very interesting in the psychological aspect involved. Surely everyone around Manchester City is sick of hearing about the Anfield curse, and of all managers Pep Guardiola knows how important it is to make sure players do not buy into things like that themselves. Still, Liverpool have dominated recent history. Guardiola is yet to win at Anfield with City, City have lost six straight matches at Anfield, conceding at least three goals four of those times, and have not pulled all three points away from Liverpool on the road since 2003 and a line-up featuring Peter Schmeichel, Liverpool favorite Robbie Fowler, Joey Barton, and Nicolas Anelka snagging a 90th minute winner in addition to an equalizing penalty. Before that match, the last time, and only previous time since the 1950s, that City have won at Anfield was back in 1981. For some perspective, club captain Vincent Kompany has been alive for a single City away victory in this series. City have had some outstanding teams these past few years, and yet Liverpool have dominated the series while at home. The pressure is on Guardiola and City to keep stress away and morale at a positive level.
What could make the results flip on their head? For one, I think Liverpool's lack of a truly creative midfielder could hurt them. Of the three victories over City last season, the mainstay of them all was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With two sensational long-range efforts from the Englishman, his pace centrally and ability to link up with the front three as well as he did, while being able to provide a defensive presence when needed, was key for Liverpool. Compared to the midfield Liverpool could be starting (especially if Naby Keita is not fully fit) and you don't see that sort of midfield. I will, however, look at Gini Wijnaldum to make runs forward especially since Jordan Henderson will hold the line as the defensive midfielder. The double pivot worked against PSG for Liverpool quite well with those two and James Milner, perhaps that could be seen again. The issue with that is PSG allowed Liverpool, especially the full backs, acres of space to roam down the wings. Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker will get forward, for sure, but both of them have more of a defensive mind than either of PSG's full backs. Ditto for the wing players when compared to Neymar.
Midfield itself will be a necessity to watch, if just for keeping an eye on whether or not Kevin De Bruyne will feature. The Belgian is of top quality and could be a key piece to the puzzle in midfield for Liverpool. His involvement is when I could certainly see a double pivot coming into play as it would help prevent his and David Silva's forward attacks in a more attack-minded 4-3-3 that City like to play from. Also in the City midfield is Brazilian Fernandinho who was brilliant last season, but has not been at that same level yet this season. He is my key to the match for City because if the attackers of Liverpool, and if there's a midfielder that can get forward consistently like Wijnaldum, can bypass him in the midfield, they will get free reign in on the two center backs. I went with Aymeric Laporte for this very reason, if I am Guardiola I am certainly worried about Nicolas Otamendi against this Liverpool side's pressure. He has faltered under it previously and I think Laporte has dealt with this Liverpool side in the past better (remember: he was at left back and defended Mo Salah in a solid effort in the Champions League). He's better with the ball at his feet, I would trust him passing out from back more under pressure, and he can stretch out and defend wider while as a center back with Mendy pressing forward to attack.
The Liverpool defense will have to spotlight on them, as well, to shut down this City attack. This was done marvelously by Trent Alexander-Arnold on Leroy Sane in the Champions League, but the question of if that can continue will need to be seen. Alexander-Arnold struggled against Napoli and Lorenzo Insigne and against Chelsea was out of position multiple times, including on Eden Hazard's goal. He's on a patch of rough form lately against quality opposition, but Sane is a player he's dealt with fairly well in the past. This is a key match for Alexander-Arnold to get back into the form fans know the young Scouser for. Centrally, Sergio Aguero also has a duck to break. He is yet to score at Anfield, ever. This seems impossible to believe, given how he is one of the Premier League's greatest strikers of all-time, but the Anfield curse has loomed over Aguero's head too with City and Atletico Madrid. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez face the challenge of keeping him quiet. I'm sure he will look to target Gomez as many have against Liverpool, but the young man has been outstanding this season and is coming off a great effort against Napoli. His pace and strength, I would even argue, bode well for a meeting with Aguero. I'll look for Aguero to try and break his duck, but I'll also look for him to try and play in his wingers whenever possible, if he is able to have drawn out a center back from their deeper position. Finally, quickly, Raheem Sterling and Andy Robertson in another meeting will certainly be interesting. Robertson has also been good against Sterling, but I'll also look for Sterling to drop inside and try to find holes between he and van Dijk. This may work better than stay more outward in attack.
Final Thoughts:
As mentioned, City have had a rough go of things at Anfield in their history. Plenty of questions loom overhead about breaking the streak, but you can well and truly throw history out here. This is a City team in a big match with something to prove in an early-season top-of-the-table race against a Liverpool team who is fairly worn down, seeing the finish line of a brutal stretch, playing at home. A 4:30 PM kick-off in England should bring about a nice atmosphere for the game, though likely not at the caliber of a European night. Games like last week's and this one are what really make the Premier League so special.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2: Manchester City 2:
I can honestly say I see this one going both ways. I think this will be a higher-scoring affair despite both teams knowing what is expected of them. I'm not picking a Liverpool victory because I do believe they are a bit worn-down from this tough stretch and a very disappointing loss in a European away day. I am not picking a City victory because Liverpool still have that quality to find the night on any given moment, even if their front three have not clicked as fans would wish yet. I could see either team winning 2-0 or 2-1, but I don't think we'll see more than two goals a piece, and I'm going to say both teams score a pair and walk out with a point-split.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
Team News:
The primary injury for Liverpool is Naby Keita, who went off after less than 20 minutes on the pitch in Napoli with a back spasm. It seemed worrisome for Liverpool early, especially considering it was non-contact, but reports are good and Jurgen Klopp seems optimistic that his midfielder should be just fine, saying "it didn't look too serious, so there's a chance." Keita's inclusion in at least the squad would be positive for Liverpool, even if he is not fully fit to start. It certainly seems to be a game time decision for the Guinean man in the middle. Back in full training also is Adam Lallana, who seems fully recovered from his groin strain suffered on international duty. It's slightly later than had been hoped, with an initial hope of being back by the end of September, but the addition of the 30-year-old will give the squad some extra depth as their run continues. Of course, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a long-term out, but I'm going to mention him in a bit.
Manchester City have their own slew of injury questions, including a vital one for the match's outcome. Kevin De Bruyne suffered an LCL lesion while in training in mid-August, and this has been the match marked out as his potential return. The time has come, and Guardiola indeed confirmed that the Belgian midfielder is back in training and "in the frame" to make his return for City this weekend. The presence of De Bruyne would obviously be huge. Additionally, Benjamin Mendy was in full training on Friday as thus could be involved in the match plans as well. Ilkey Gundogen is in a similar situation as Naby Keita where he went off midweek with an injury, sat out training Friday, and remains a late check for the weekend's match. Finally, Fabian Delph was ruled out by Guardiola, meaning Aymeric Laporte or Oleksandr Zinchenko will occupy left back if Mendy is ruled out late.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected Manchester City Line-Up: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, D. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Previewing the Match:
The first aspect of this match that I think will be very interesting in the psychological aspect involved. Surely everyone around Manchester City is sick of hearing about the Anfield curse, and of all managers Pep Guardiola knows how important it is to make sure players do not buy into things like that themselves. Still, Liverpool have dominated recent history. Guardiola is yet to win at Anfield with City, City have lost six straight matches at Anfield, conceding at least three goals four of those times, and have not pulled all three points away from Liverpool on the road since 2003 and a line-up featuring Peter Schmeichel, Liverpool favorite Robbie Fowler, Joey Barton, and Nicolas Anelka snagging a 90th minute winner in addition to an equalizing penalty. Before that match, the last time, and only previous time since the 1950s, that City have won at Anfield was back in 1981. For some perspective, club captain Vincent Kompany has been alive for a single City away victory in this series. City have had some outstanding teams these past few years, and yet Liverpool have dominated the series while at home. The pressure is on Guardiola and City to keep stress away and morale at a positive level.
What could make the results flip on their head? For one, I think Liverpool's lack of a truly creative midfielder could hurt them. Of the three victories over City last season, the mainstay of them all was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With two sensational long-range efforts from the Englishman, his pace centrally and ability to link up with the front three as well as he did, while being able to provide a defensive presence when needed, was key for Liverpool. Compared to the midfield Liverpool could be starting (especially if Naby Keita is not fully fit) and you don't see that sort of midfield. I will, however, look at Gini Wijnaldum to make runs forward especially since Jordan Henderson will hold the line as the defensive midfielder. The double pivot worked against PSG for Liverpool quite well with those two and James Milner, perhaps that could be seen again. The issue with that is PSG allowed Liverpool, especially the full backs, acres of space to roam down the wings. Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker will get forward, for sure, but both of them have more of a defensive mind than either of PSG's full backs. Ditto for the wing players when compared to Neymar.
Midfield itself will be a necessity to watch, if just for keeping an eye on whether or not Kevin De Bruyne will feature. The Belgian is of top quality and could be a key piece to the puzzle in midfield for Liverpool. His involvement is when I could certainly see a double pivot coming into play as it would help prevent his and David Silva's forward attacks in a more attack-minded 4-3-3 that City like to play from. Also in the City midfield is Brazilian Fernandinho who was brilliant last season, but has not been at that same level yet this season. He is my key to the match for City because if the attackers of Liverpool, and if there's a midfielder that can get forward consistently like Wijnaldum, can bypass him in the midfield, they will get free reign in on the two center backs. I went with Aymeric Laporte for this very reason, if I am Guardiola I am certainly worried about Nicolas Otamendi against this Liverpool side's pressure. He has faltered under it previously and I think Laporte has dealt with this Liverpool side in the past better (remember: he was at left back and defended Mo Salah in a solid effort in the Champions League). He's better with the ball at his feet, I would trust him passing out from back more under pressure, and he can stretch out and defend wider while as a center back with Mendy pressing forward to attack.
The Liverpool defense will have to spotlight on them, as well, to shut down this City attack. This was done marvelously by Trent Alexander-Arnold on Leroy Sane in the Champions League, but the question of if that can continue will need to be seen. Alexander-Arnold struggled against Napoli and Lorenzo Insigne and against Chelsea was out of position multiple times, including on Eden Hazard's goal. He's on a patch of rough form lately against quality opposition, but Sane is a player he's dealt with fairly well in the past. This is a key match for Alexander-Arnold to get back into the form fans know the young Scouser for. Centrally, Sergio Aguero also has a duck to break. He is yet to score at Anfield, ever. This seems impossible to believe, given how he is one of the Premier League's greatest strikers of all-time, but the Anfield curse has loomed over Aguero's head too with City and Atletico Madrid. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez face the challenge of keeping him quiet. I'm sure he will look to target Gomez as many have against Liverpool, but the young man has been outstanding this season and is coming off a great effort against Napoli. His pace and strength, I would even argue, bode well for a meeting with Aguero. I'll look for Aguero to try and break his duck, but I'll also look for him to try and play in his wingers whenever possible, if he is able to have drawn out a center back from their deeper position. Finally, quickly, Raheem Sterling and Andy Robertson in another meeting will certainly be interesting. Robertson has also been good against Sterling, but I'll also look for Sterling to drop inside and try to find holes between he and van Dijk. This may work better than stay more outward in attack.
Final Thoughts:
As mentioned, City have had a rough go of things at Anfield in their history. Plenty of questions loom overhead about breaking the streak, but you can well and truly throw history out here. This is a City team in a big match with something to prove in an early-season top-of-the-table race against a Liverpool team who is fairly worn down, seeing the finish line of a brutal stretch, playing at home. A 4:30 PM kick-off in England should bring about a nice atmosphere for the game, though likely not at the caliber of a European night. Games like last week's and this one are what really make the Premier League so special.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2: Manchester City 2:
I can honestly say I see this one going both ways. I think this will be a higher-scoring affair despite both teams knowing what is expected of them. I'm not picking a Liverpool victory because I do believe they are a bit worn-down from this tough stretch and a very disappointing loss in a European away day. I am not picking a City victory because Liverpool still have that quality to find the night on any given moment, even if their front three have not clicked as fans would wish yet. I could see either team winning 2-0 or 2-1, but I don't think we'll see more than two goals a piece, and I'm going to say both teams score a pair and walk out with a point-split.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
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