Liverpool vs Manchester City

Anfield is the venue as high-flying Liverpool and out-of-form Manchester City lock horns in a high-stakes Premier League top-table six-pointer. 

Liverpool cannot stop impressing under new boss Arne Slot, with a phenomenal 2-0 home triumph against Real Madrid in midweek UEFA Champions League action marking the Dutch manager’s 17th win in 19 games in charge (D1, L1). In addition to remaining the only team at Europe’s top table with a 100% record after five rounds, the Reds reside comfortably at the top of the Premier League table, boasting an eight-point lead on second-placed Manchester City following a come-from-behind 3-2 victory at Southampton last weekend. As the only side in England’s top flight yet to concede double digits this season (8), Liverpool can feel confident about claiming a potentially season-defining win against a Man City side they’ve not lost to in 20 of their last 21 league H2Hs at Anfield (W13, D7).

Adding to Liverpool’s enthusiasm, Manchester City set an unwanted Champions League feat during midweek, becoming the first team in the competition’s history to fail to take three points despite leading 3-0 in the 75th minute. Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s side unfathomably drew 3-3 at home against Feyenoord, failing to regain confidence following a humiliating five-game losing run in all competitions. The perennial Premier League champions have lost their last three league outings and could make it four defeats on the spin for the first time since August 2008. Failing to upset the apple cart in the first top-flight game as pre-match underdogs since April 2017 would see Guardiola go seven straight matches without winning for the first time in his trophy-laden managerial career.