Liverpool and Manchester City will clash for the first time in the Premier League this term as the 2024-25 season enters match day 13. Without any doubt, it is the biggest fixture in the Premier League and there is no better way to put it.
As of the time of writing, the Reds are table toppers with 21 points from their opening eight games of the season, while Manchester City follow closely in second with 20 points and are still the only unbeaten side left in the top division.
The Reds have made credible progress under Arne Slot following the departure of Jurgen Klopp after nearly a decade at Merseyside. Although Liverpool struggled to make any high-profile signings during the transfer window, they have been on another level under the new manager. In the end, they eventually settled for Federico Chiesa from Juventus with only a couple of promotions from the youth team to the first team.
After last season’s disastrous campaign, the Reds are early-season contenders alongside Manchester City and Arsenal. As of the time of writing, their biggest result came in the 3-0 bashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford. However, they did lose 1-0 to Nottingham Forest surprisingly at home but it is well known that the side can do a lot more when they are in their element. Since then, they have beaten Crystal Palace, Wolves, Bournemouth and Chelsea.
Slot was particularly pleased about the win in the latter game, saying; “Yeah, of course [I am pleased] with the outcome. Because if you win then you’re always pleased about the outcome. In an ideal world, we would’ve outplayed them completely. That’s not what we did. It was an equal game, in my opinion. There were phases in the game where we had to work hard not to concede, but it’s very pleasing to see that is also what we did.
“These are all things everybody has and you have to cope with them during the season as well. So, that’s why I always say it’s so difficult to win a league title no matter where in the world because so many things have to be done well. This is a good start to win the second big game we played. But I also saw how difficult it was, how difficult Chelsea made [it] for us. So, in my opinion, if I were sitting as the Chelsea manager I would say, if we can play like this at Anfield, we are also one of the teams that can compete for [a] top-four position,” the Dutchman concluded.
On the other hand, Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, does not need any introduction. Guardiola’s side has been dominant in the Premier League over the past four seasons and they remain the team to beat. The Citizens have been quite minimal with their spending this past summer, as they welcomed the return of Ilkay Gundogan, and talented youngster Savinho was brought in. However, injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and Rodrigo have been the bane of their struggles all season. The latter is expected to miss the remainder of the season, while the former has not hit top form just yet.
As of the time of writing, Manchester City are the only team yet to taste defeat in the Premier League after eight games with six wins and two draws. If there is a time to trouble Guardiola and his team, it is now that they are just managing to get over the line as seen in the win over Wolves at the Molineux in mid-October.
Certainly, Liverpool is one opposition that City have failed to dominate in the top division and this might present a chance for the Reds to get one over the defending champions once again.
In the head-to-head count since 1995, Liverpool have won 25 matches, while Manchester City have won 12 matches and 22 games have ended in stalemates.
Match tickets
The epic match at Anfield in Liverpool kicks off on Sunday 1st December 2024, at 16:00 GMT.
The magnificent 61,276-capacity stadium with its electrifying atmosphere will be ready to host this fixture.
Getting Liverpool vs Manchester City tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Lineups
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been battling some injury crisis of late and he could be unavailable for this big clash with Manchester City at Anfield. If Alisson does not make it then Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back and skipper Virgil Van Dijk to lead the rest of the backline.
Alexis Mac Allister, who impressed last term, is expected to continue in midfield alongside the rejuvenated Ryan Gravenberch, while Mohamed Salah is expected to keep the goals coming in attack.
Liverpool XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Mohamed Salah.
It is no longer news that the champions have been missing Rodrigo at the heart of their midfield, while Kevin De Bruyne has been struggling with some injury problems. Youngster Oscar Bobb is not expected back until the new year while Phil Foden has barely impressed this term. Midfielders Gundogan and Kovacic should continue their partnership, while Haaland will be expected to lead the line.
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, Ruben Diaz, Matteo Kovacic, Gundogan, Silva, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden.
Prediction
Liverpool’s ghen-ghen pressing and incisive attacking play coupled with the atmosphere that their supporters are sure to create at Anfield is expected to make things difficult for the Citizens. However, Manchester City are defending champions and this is the type of fixture they know a lot depends on it.
The Reds have a strong form against Pep Guardiola’s side at home and they will be keen to extend it this time around.
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City
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