Manchester City will host Liverpool at the Etihad on Sunday in a game framed as a potential Premier League title decider.
As recently as February, Liverpool were 14 points adrift of their title rivals, but a 10-game winning run has ensured that Jurgen Klopp’s side has cut the deficit to a single point ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
The previous meeting between the two in October finished in a 2-2 draw at Anfield with City twice pegging Liverpool back through goals from Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne after Sadio Mane and then Mo Salah had put the home side in front.
Pep Guardiola is expected to have an almost full-strength squad to choose from.
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City were given a scare during the international break when John Stones appeared to pick up an injury during the warm-up ahead of England’s friendly against Switzerland.
With Ruben Dias already sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained in an FA Cup tie against Peterborough a month ago, an injury for Stones would have left Guardiola light in central defence.
However, after sitting out the 2-0 win against Burnley last weekend, Stones was recalled to the starting line-up to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and came through it unscathed.
Although Nathan Ake impressed at Turf Moor last weekend, Stones is likely to partner Aymeric Laporte in the heart of City’s backline. Laporte made his 100th Premier League appearance against Burnley and the win ensured he broke a record for the most points tallied (254) after that milestone.
Alongside Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo has started more league games (28) than any other City player this season, the bulk of which have come at left-back. It is likely that he will switch to that flank after playing at right-back against Atletico considering Kyle Walker is available for selection.
Walker missed the quarter-final first-leg due to suspension after being sent off and handed a three-game ban for lashing out at Andre Silva during a defeat to RB Leipzig.
Guardiola has become more consistent with his team selection recently, especially in midfield.
Rodri continues to be City’s heartbeat sitting deep in the centre circle and allowing Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne to be adventurous in the final third.
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A sparkling cameo appearance against Atletico offered a reminder of Foden’s unique talents and he could be tasked with playing centrally after Bernardo struggled to make an impact in that role on Tuesday. Sterling or Riyad Mahrez could make way for the England international.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have not won at the Etihad since April 2018 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals but that record extends to November 2015 in the league.
Man City predicted XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Bernardo, Foden.
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