The highly anticipated Premier League match between Man City and Liverpool is set to take place at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, following a two-week international break. Both teams finished as the top two in the previous season's standings, but their current campaign sees them with different targets to chase.
Defending champions Man City will look to close the gap between them and league leaders Arsenal with their eyes set on securing the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. Pep Guardiola's side had been in excellent form before the international break, winning their last six games across all competitions, including five clean sheets. During the period, they recorded a 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig and a 6-0 win over Burnley, in which Erling Braut Haaland scored eight goals across the two outings.
The upcoming fixtures against Liverpool and Southampton will be crucial for the Citizens as they try to retain their top-flight title. City's home form against Liverpool is impressive, having recorded just one defeat in the last 13 top-flight meetings between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium. So far, they are unbeaten in their last 10 matches across all competitions. They come into the game off the back of a 7-0 and 6-0 drubbings of RB Leipzig and Burnley, and a win over their new nemesis will be enough to put them five points behind leaders Arsenal.
On the other hand, Liverpool is currently battling to secure a top-four spot after an underwhelming season. Jurgen Klopp's men ended the previous campaign with a double win in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, but this season has seen them falling behind their rivals across all competitions. Before the international break, they suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Bournemouth and Real Madrid, with the latter confirming their elimination from the Champions League last 16.
The Reds' struggles for consistency away from home have been a significant factor this season, as they have only picked up 12 points from 13 Premier League matches on the road, losing seven times and failing to score on six occasions. However, the omen may be good as they have a history of beating reigning Man City, with 23 wins to their credit - including the 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Anfield back in October, thanks to a second-half strike from Mohamed Salah.
All in all, the match between Man City and Liverpool promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams fighting for different objectives. A win for the Citizens will see them win four successive Premier League games for the first time this season and reduce the gap to leaders Arsenal to just five. Meanwhile, a victory for Liverpool will boost their chances of securing a top-four spot and add some much-needed confidence to a season that has been one to forget.
Form guide: Man City vs Liverpool
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Man City Premier League form: WWDWWW
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Liverpool Premier League form: WWDWWL
Key stats and head-to-head record: Man City vs Liverpool
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Liverpool have previously completed a Premier League double against MaN City in the 2005-06 and 2015-16 seasons, and are aiming to do so again.
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Currently, the Reds are 19 points behind City in the table, which is the largest gap they have had to face immediately before a Premier League game against them.
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This season, Man City are striving to achieve their first four consecutive league victories.
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In their previous 27 home matches in league and cup, Pep Guardiola's team have won 25, drawn one, and lost one.
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If City can maintain a clean sheet in their next game, it will be their sixth consecutive clean sheet, which will equal their club record set in November and December 2020.
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Erling Haaland has scored 42 competitive goals in 37 games for Man City, and the only two players to have scored more in a single season for a Premier League club are Ruud van Nistelrooy (44 goals for Manchester United in 2002-03) and Mohamed Salah (44 goals for Liverpool in 2017-18).
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Liverpool are at risk of losing three consecutive matches in all competitions without scoring for the first time since 2009.
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Jurgen Klopp has won 11 out of 27 matches against Pep Guardiola as a manager, while the latter has won nine, and seven matches have ended in a draw (including those decided by penalty shoot-outs).
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If Liverpool wins their upcoming match, they will become the fourth club in the Premier League to achieve 250 away victories, following Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
Team news: Man City vs Liverpool
Man City may have to do without their striker Erling Haaland, who is uncertain to play due to a groin problem that kept him out of Norway's international games. Phil Foden will be unavailable for selection as he recovers from appendix surgery.
Relatively, Liverpool's forward Darwin Nunez is likely to be in the running for selection despite having to pull out of Uruguay's squad due to an ankle injury. Luis Diaz, who has been out with a knee injury, is nearing a return, but he won't be ready for this match. Thiago, Naby Keita, and Calvin Ramsay are still on the sidelines and will not be available for selection.
Broadcast information: Man City vs Liverpool
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
