The newest chapter in Liverpool’s rivalry with Man Metropolis shall be written on Sunday, in a gargantuan Premier League conflict at Anfield.
Liverpool vs. Man Metropolis
Premier League (28) | AnfieldMarch 10, 2024 | 3.45pm (GMT)
Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect face their most essential match of the season up to now, with one other thrilling title race underway.
Metropolis head to Anfield trailing Liverpool by one level – in the meantime, Arsenal are two behind the Reds – so a win for both can be vital.
Right here’s all it’s good to know forward of the sport.
1. Liverpool face season-defining recreation
Some video games really feel greater than the remaining and Sunday’s assembly with Metropolis falls into that class.
It’s not possible to downplay the go to of Pep Guardiola’s group, with the eventual end result at Anfield more likely to have a serious say in who lifts the Premier League title.
As talked about, a victory for both group can be a serious shot within the arm, whereas a draw would play properly into Arsenal‘s arms.
The Gunners might, and may, go high of the desk with a win at dwelling to Brentford on Saturday, including additional stress to the Metropolis match.
2. Man Metropolis in ominous temper
Worryingly for Liverpool, Metropolis seem to have discovered their groove, as they typically do as soon as the enterprise finish of the season arrives.
The return of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland has predictably seen them go up a gear, successful 9 of their final 10 league video games.
In contrast to the Reds, Guardiola additionally has the luxurious of getting an virtually injury-free squad – Jack Grealish is lacking and Jeremy Doku is doubtful – which is one thing Klopp has solely been capable of dream of this season.
Metropolis will go into Sunday’s match because the favourites to win the Premier League for the fourth 12 months in a row.
3. Who’s injured for Liverpool?
Liverpool look in a more healthy place injury-wise, definitely in comparison with earlier within the 12 months, however there are nonetheless key males who’re out this weekend.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota received’t be again till after the worldwide break, whereas Ryan Gravenberch is steadily nearing a return.
Ibrahima Konate limped out of the 5-1 win away to Sparta Prague, and whereas Klopp is hopeful the Frenchman shall be match, a scan will decide his availability for the weekend and past.
Mohamed Salah is pushing for a primary begin for Liverpool since Newcastle at dwelling on New 12 months’s Day, with Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez in line to play, too.
4. Gomez to problem for the XI?
Loads of the beginning lineup picks itself, however there are additionally sure positions the place competitors appears to be like sturdy.
Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson are favourites to begin at full-back, however Joe Gomez represents a powerful possibility in both place after being withdrawn after 45 minutes on Thursday.
Endo, Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister ought to make up the midfield, whereas Cody Gakpo, after 5 successive begins, might make manner for Salah in assault.
And Jarell Quansah is the plain option to take over from Konate ought to the Frenchman be unable to characteristic.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Nunez
5. Who will begin for Man Metropolis?
As famous, accidents are of no concern to Metropolis in the meanwhile, barring Grealish, so Guardiola will have the ability to identify his strongest potential beginning lineup.
Modifications have been even made in opposition to FC Copenhagen in midweek, permitting key figures to relaxation their legs earlier than the weekend motion.
Metropolis might subject the identical XI that beat Man United 3-1 final Sunday, with Rodri, Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne making up a world-class midfield.
Doku, if handed match, and an in-form Phil Foden will seemingly be out broad, whereas Haaland will lead the road, as he prepares for a mouthwatering battle with Virgil van Dijk.
Predicted Man Metropolis XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Alvarez; Haaland
6. Klopp doesn’t must make Anfield name
Chatting with the media on Friday, Klopp talked up the Anfield environment on Sunday, whether or not rivals prefer it or not:
“The environment our folks can create, am I allowed to say it’s second to none or are folks offended by that?
“It’s actually good, huge, energising.
“These are video games you need to play, the video games you need to get a ticket for, and the video games you need to watch. Anfield, for us, is a large, huge issue.
“It will be a bit embarrassing in the present day if I might say, ‘Please assist us.’ Folks will”
7. Report-breaker Rodri Metropolis’s key man
De Bruyne and Haaland could also be among the many finest gamers on the planet at the moment, however Rodri stays the primary identify on Metropolis’s group sheet.
The Spaniard is an elite defensive midfielder within the mould of Barcelona and legend Sergio Busquets, and his huge affect is summed up by one statistic.
Rodri is now unbeaten in his final 60 video games throughout all competitions, which is the report for a Premier League participant, and Liverpool will look to convey it an finish to it on Sunday!
It speaks volumes that Metropolis’s three league defeats this season have all come with out him obtainable.
8. Did You Know?
Metropolis could have been the dominant power within the English recreation in the course of the Guardiola period, however their woes at Anfield have continued.
Extremely, they’ve solely overwhelmed Liverpool as soon as on their very own turf since manner again in 2003 – even that was behind closed doorways in 2020/21, as they sealed a 4-1 victory.
Final season’s fixture noticed the Reds clinch a 1-0 victory due to an outstanding Salah solo effort, regardless that they have been in poor kind and Metropolis have been resounding favourites.
From a Liverpool perspective, Sunday can be a dreadful time for Metropolis to win in entrance of followers for the primary time in over 20 years.
9. Michael Oliver beneath the highlight
Michael Oliver has been confirmed as Sunday’s referee at Anfield – in equity, he’s arguably the decide of a nasty bunch of officers within the Premier League.
This would be the 39-year-old’s fourth Reds recreation of the season, with the 3-1 win at Wolves again in September being his first.
He additionally oversaw the goalless draw at dwelling to Man United and the current 4-1 triumph away to Brentford, sending off Diogo Dalot within the former.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Man Metropolis is unsurprisingly Sky Sports activities’ decide of the motion on Sunday, with protection getting underway at 3pm (UK). Kickoff is at 3.45pm.
The sooner than standard begin on Sunday comes after a request from Merseyside police.
Harry McMullen shall be nervously guiding you thru the motion on TIA’s matchday dwell weblog from 3pm – right here’s hoping there are optimistic updates galore.
Come on you Reds!
