This Sunday will be the biggest clash currently in world soccer when the sky blue half of Manchester hosts the red side of Liverpool. In the past five years, this clash has become the biggest contest leaping the El Classico derby in Spain, the Der Klassiker in Germany, and the Milan derby in Italy due to the success of both clubs. Under Pep Guardiola since 2016, Manchester City has won 9 titles while Jurgen Klopp’s team has won 5 in the same span. Man City and Liverpool have developed an unmatched rivalry because they are separated by just 1 point in the Premier League in the past four years. In that period, City has captured two titles to Liverpool’s one. Ironically, the teams heading into this match separated by one point making this matchup a pivotal stanza in the season with only eight games to go. In this article, we preview both teams, the player to watch for, and make a prediction.
1. Liverpool-the Reds head into the mammoth clash in tremendous form losing just once in 21 matches and unbeaten in the past 11 Premier League games. The signing of Luiz Diaz has given this team better depth in attack, and the team has remained healthy after an injured plagued season last year. The Merseysiders are the league’s entertainers and chart-toppers in almost every statistical category scoring 77 Premier League goals this season. The team boasts three of the top 6 goal scorers and the top three assist makers in the competition. This makes the team a thrill to watch for their fans and neutrals. However, a weakness that Manchester City will look to exploit is that they tend to give up chances playing a high line. Nonetheless, having a world-class defender in Virgil Van Dijk and Allison Becker in goal has covered up the blemishes.
2. Manchester City-the Citizens are the defending Premier League champions, and it seemed that they would cruise to the title after winning 1-0 at Chelsea to lead the standings by 13 points. They have stuttered a bit to allow Liverpool to close the gap to the present position. However, the team has a knack for churning out results, and they boast the best defense in the competition conceding just 18 goals in 29 matches. Man City looks to dominate the opponent through ball possession and slick passes that stretch the opposition. However, their weakness this season is the lack of quality striker to put the ball in the net, and at times are overly reliant on the midfielders for production.
3. Star Players to Watch for: Liverpool-Mohammed Salah: Salah has slowed down from his blistering start to the Premier League. It is understandable because the form was not sustainable for the entire season, and the disappointment of Egypt failing to win the African championship tournament and making it into the World Cup must weigh heavily on him. Still, this world-class forward can turn a contest on its head with his quick dribbles and deadly left foot. Salah has scored 20 Premier League goals and provided 10 assists. This means Salah is 1st and 3rd in those respective categories.
Man City-Kevin De Bruyne: the Belgian player has grown in stature as the best midfielder in the world. Kevin can see and makes passes that other players should not attempt. He is also deadly at free-kicks producing brilliant delivery that leave top-class goalkeepers helpless. This season his team has required him to step up on the goal-scoring charts, and he has answered the bell scoring 11 goals. If City wins this game then De Bruyne must be at his best.
4. TV Guide and Forecast: Kick-off start time: 11:30 am ET
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
The weather will be perfect for football at 55 degrees Fahrenheit with partial sun and a gentle breeze
5. Head to Head: Liverpool historically leads the matchup head to head with 78 wins, 45 draws, and 45 Man City wins from 169 matches. In the past sixteen games since 2016, the stats show these teams are even with six wins for Liverpool, five draws, and five wins for Man City. However, in the past four contests, there have been two Man City wins and two draws.
Prediction: 2-2. I think this will be a blockbuster game with both games looking to attack each other. The last time these two teams met in October, the game was a classic but ended in a 2-2 draw. I feel a similar scoreline will occur because both teams cannot afford to lose this game but expect drama and excitement to the final whistle.