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Liverpool will look to exact revenge against rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, when they clash at Anfield in one of the most highly anticipated games in world football.
City sit top of the table with 15 points from five games, while Liverpool sit sixth with nine points, but the Reds will be keen to punish City following news their opponents were found guilty of severely breaching Premier League rules during their most successful period.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Liverpool vs Manchester City key stats
- Only two clean sheets have been kept in Man City and Liverpool's last seven clashes at Anfield.
- Liverpool have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League.
- Man City faced 17 shots and nine attempts on target when they faced Sunderland in matchweek five.
Liverpool vs Manchester City preview: Guilty verdict to fuel Anfield?
Liverpool vs Man City — Tale of the Tape
| Liverpool | vs | Man City |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Position | 1st |
| 9 | Points | 15 |
| 7 | Goals For | 13 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 13th | Home / Away Rank | 2nd |
Everyone at Anfield will rightly feel aggrieved by City given their opponents arguably denied key figures like Steven Gerrard and Jurgen Klopp the success they deserved.
Liverpool were City's closest rivals for much of Pep Guardiola's time at the Etihad, and news that the visitors have been found guilty of cheating Premier League rules has only inflamed tensions between the fanbases further.
However, new boss Andoni Iraola must strike a balance between using the energy of the crowd to fuel his side, while also ensuring his players focus on taking three points.
A victory for the Merseysiders would leave them just three points from first place, and for a new manager with new signings, remaining unbeaten in all competitions by the middle of October would represent an impressive start.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both injured, so Iraola may have to find a creative solution like using Bradley Barcola as a striker, or using Florian Wirtz as a false nine.
Manchester City have announced their intention to appeal the decision of the independent panel, though the club's guilty verdict will inevitably have an impact on the club in some capacity, be it in the stands or on the pitch.
Figures like Erling Haaland have called for unity, and despite the potential threat of sanctions – which may include expulsion from the top flight – it is important to remember that the team have won every single Premier League game this season.
One of those triumphs was an impressive 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United, who had a man advantage for most of the match, so Enzo Maresca's side have shown they can be resilient away from home.
Phil Foden will miss out on the Citizens' clash at Anfield due to the red card he received against United, and while Rayan Cherki may have played ahead of him anyway, it would not be surprising if Maresca pushed Cherki into a wide role and instead played a midfield three.
Liverpool vs Manchester City form guide & betting tips
| Liverpool | vs | Man City |
|---|---|---|
DDWDW |
Form | WWWWW |
| 9 | Points | 15 |
| 6th | Form Table | 1st |
| 7 | Goals For | 13 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 5 |
WWDWW |
Form (All Comps) | WWWWW |
Whispers predicts: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City
The bookmakers view Man City as favourites at 5/4 (2.25), but with the atmosphere set to be ferocious, it may be worthwhile to back a Liverpool victory at 2/1 (3).
A clean sheet has only been kept twice by Man City or Liverpool in their last seven meetings at Anfield, so it would make sense to back Both Teams to Score at 1/2 (1.5).
It should be noted that the Reds have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, and the form of players like Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet may make a bet of Under 1.5 Goals for Man City at 17/20 (1.85) a value prediction.
City looked vulnerable against Sunderland last time out in the Premier League, conceding three goals, so perhaps predicting Over 2.5 Goals for Liverpool at 18/5 (4.6) could be the way to go.
> Both Teams to Score at 1/2 (1.5) | Likelihood: High
> Under 1.5 Goals for Man City at 17/20 (1.85) | Likelihood: Medium
>Over 2.5 Goals for Liverpool at 18/5 (4.6) | Likelihood: Low