Man City picked up a massive win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and with confidence under their belt, Pep Guardiola’s side will now face Liverpool.
In recent seasons, Man City vs Liverpool has been the show-stopper match in the Premier League and this one will be even more exhilarating because the outcome of this tie could help decide the champions for the 2021/22 season.
If Man City can win on Sunday they will open up a four-point lead at the top of the table and that should be enough to see them through until the end of the campaign.
Manchester City played an absolutely intense match against Atleti in midweek and with the quarter-final tie very much in the balance, Pep Guardiola will definitely have one eye on the 2nd leg. The manager is going to make several changes to his starting line up this weekend but even his second-fiddle players are some of the best in the world.
The two sides will meet again in the FA Cup semi-final next weekend but a hell lot more is riding on this upcoming league game. If Man City can pick up a win on Sunday they will make a really big case for themselves in regards to a European treble.
Man City team news vs Liverpool:
The City boss has only two injuries to deal with, one of them being the influential Ruben Dias. Dias will be badly missed on Sunday but John Stones and Laporte have done pretty well in central defence so far.
“Everyone is fit. Ruben, no and not Cole Palmer,” the City manager confirmed in his press conference.
Kyle Walker missed the UCL tie due to suspension but he will be coming back into the side this weekend which means Nathan Ake will move to the bench while Cancelo vacates the right-hand side of defence.
Most points won in the Premier League since 2018/19:
◉ 338 – Man City
◉ 337 – Liverpool
◎ 264 – Chelsea
◎ 257 – Man Utd
◎ 246 – Spurs
◎ 241 – ArsenalIt's the big two now. 😤 pic.twitter.com/u5lDDuyuEw
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 8, 2022
Pep has used Zinchenko at left-back in several big matches so don’t be surprised if Cancelo is named on the bench on Sunday.
Bernardo Silva played down the left wing on Tuesday night but there’s a chance that Pep Guardiola will bring him back into midfield in place of Gundogan.
Ilkay Gundogan was poor against Atletico so he could be moving to the bench when Liverpool come to town.
Foden and Jack Grealish both came off the bench in the 1-0 win and the former had a really positive impact on the night. Foden will most certainly play as the false nine with Sterling occupying one of the flanks.
Ideally, the Man City boss will want to rest Mahrez in which case Jack Grealish should come into the starting XI but if Mahrez is given the nod then Grealish will have to be content with a place on the bench.
Man City predicted line up vs Liverpool:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-3-3): Ederson; Laporte, John Stones, Cancelo/Zinchenko, Walker; De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva; Grealish, Foden, Sterling.
