Liverpool overcame a slight scare at home to Stoke to run out comfortable 4-1 winners in the end on Tuesday night.
They have the current longest unbeaten streak of any Premier League side in all competitions (16 matches) and should be high on confidence when they welcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday evening.
City are only one point behind Liverpool in the league but Guardiola’s side aren’t in the best of shape at the moment.
They are still trying to rediscover the type of performances they started the season with and this would be the perfect opportunity to make a statement against one of their direct title rivals. Naija and Bet
Saturday’s encounter marks the first time Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have faced off since both arrived in England, renewing their rivalry from the Bundesliga when both managers where in charge of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Klopp is one of just two managers that have beaten a Guardiola managed side on more than two occasions and the Liverpool boss may get the edge in their head-to-head record with another win here.
Team News
Liverpool – Philippe Coutinho has lost his race to be fit in time to face Manchester City on New Year’s Eve, which is a real blow for the home side.
Joel Matip is also ruled out after failing to shake off an ankle injury that has kept the defender out of their last three matches.
Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge are vying for recalls to the starting XI and may be selected ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum and Divock Origi, respectively.
Manchester City – Sergio Aguero has served his four-match ban and is available for Manchester City’s must win encounter with Liverpool on New Year’s Day. He should slot straight back into the starting XI here.
John Stones was forced off after 18 minutes of City’s win over Hull on Boxing Day with a knee injury and will certainly miss the trip to Merseyside on Saturday. This should mean Aleksandar Kolarov plays at centre-back alongside Nicolas Otamendi, while Gael Clichy keeps his place at left-back.
Yaya Toure may drop to the bench in favour of Fernando, who would bring more energy to their midfield against Liverpool’s dynamic midfield three.
Match Facts
Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 11 matches against Man City in all competitions.
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 16 home matches in Premier League.
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 15 home matches against Man City in all competitions.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Man City’s last 9 away Premier League games.
Man City have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 away matches in Premier League.
Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in their last 5 home matches (Premier League).
Man City have won their last 3 matches (Premier League).
Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches against Man City in all competitions.
As at this post Liverpool has 2.35 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while Manchester City has 3.03 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 3.52.