Liverpool take on Manchester City in an away game in the Premier League on Saturday and this one is going to be a very important match for Jurgen Klopp and his boys.
Liverpool are currently second on the table, behind City by just a single point so a win at the weekend and they could end the matchweek at the top of the pack. A draw will be a blow for Manchester City but it won’t be enough for the Reds to climb to the top of the table because MCFC have a better goal difference.
Liverpool are undefeated in 22 of their last 23 league matches and their last stumble came a few weeks ago when Luton Town held them to a 1-1 draw. They also lost to Toulouse in the Europa League before the break but Klopp won’t be too worried about that result because he’d used a second-string side.
The Anfield outfit have won just one out of their previous four meetings against Manchester City but because City go into this weekend’s tie at the back of a draw vs Chelsea, Klopp will want to capitalize on this by picking up all three points.
Liverpool’s team news and injuries:
Players like Thiago, Bjacetic, Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson are all ruled out which means Jurgen Klopp has very limited midfield options for Saturday’s game.
Robertson’s absence means Tsimikas will hold onto his place at left-back and while he did provide two assists against the Bees, his defensive abilities will be put to test against Phil Foden.
Ryan Gravenberch missed the Brentford game before the break with a minor knee injury but he will be available for selection for the Manchester City match.
Mac Allister in the holding midfielder’s role has not worked out too well for the Liverpool manager but Klopp does not have the room to experiment so the Argentine will have to keep playing in that role with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch in the more advanced positions.
Mo Salah and Diogo Jota both got goals in the Brentford win so they will hold onto their places and that would mean Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz start on the bench on Saturday.
Darwin Nunez has finally settled into the Liverpool squad and right now, he is the unchallenged centre-forward in the team.
Liverpool predicted line up vs MCFC:
Predicted Starting line up(4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Van Dijk, Matip, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Mo Salah, Jota, Darwin Nunez.
