With the Reds only focus being the Premier League, and with Manchester City's complicated agenda regarding European football, both sides will try to bounce back on Sunday after heavy losses. But Brendan Rodgers' side has enjoyed quite a good run lately, and Sunday will give them a chance to measure just how fit they can be to earn a European tournament spot for next season.
With that in mind, here's five ways the Reds can make it past Manchester City.
1. Home field advantage
Pellegrini's men tend to struggle against Liverpool when playing at Anfield Road, and this season could raise some doubts about City's chances of flipping that script on Rodgers' men. Playing at Anfield Road, the Reds have not lost a single match against the Sky Blues in their most recent twelve games. If the hosts can keep that trend, then Manchester City will not walk away from Merseyside with three points in the bag.
2. Best team in the EPL this year
Liverpool's form in 2015 has given the Reds a chance to play the Champions League next year. With five wins and two draws, Brendan Rodgers' men have the best record for a Premier League side in this two months, giving them a fighting chance against their visitors, who just remembered how to score more than one goal last week. When they were beat by Chelsea for a spot in the Capital One Cup final, the Reds bounced back and kept winning in the EPL, so there's a good chance that might happen on Sunday against a struggling Sky Blue team, which hasn't been able to find the appropriate tactics to win key games this past months.
3. Defensive masters
Even with all the substitutions made by Rodgers to his Starting XI, Liverpool's defense has managed to control each and everyone of their most recent Premier League games. During their unbeaten streak, Rodgers' men have kept a clean sheet in five out of their previous six EPL games. Even after having scored nine goals in their most recent games, Manchester City is yet to score more than one time when facing a top contender this season, so Liverpool's chances of holding them back are quite good.
4. Long-shot factor
With the likes of players such as Philippe Coutinho, Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson, Liverpool has enjoyed some long-range goals this year, establishing themselves as one of the most threatening sides when having the ball outside their opponents' box. With Manchester City's lack of consciousness when it comes to defending the long ball, the Reds might want to shoot a few long-range shots at Joe Hart's net, with one of them probably ending into the back of the net.
5. Balanced midfield
Even with fan-favorite Yaya Toure back from his AFCON duties, Manchester City are yet to prove they can beat a more organized side in the creative department. With Allen, Henderson and Gerrard contributing to the Reds' offensive duties, the concept of a "team" Rodgers has created since December 2014 might make things more complicated for their up and coming opponents. Each of Rodgers' stellar midfielders is more used to running to both ends of the pitch, making quite a difference with the Citizens' crew, which is more offensive-oriented.
