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The biggest match of the Premier League season puts the spotlight squarely on Anfield this weekend as Liverpool host Manchester City in a game which could very well determine the English domestic champion.
With the title chase currently a thrilling three-horse race and still over two months remaining in the season, there’s plenty left to be played, but three points in either direction could have a drastic effect on who emerges atop the standings at the end of the campaign.
For Man City, it’s the first of two in the month of March that will almost surely decide their candidacy for a sixth Premier League title in the last seven seasons. This trip to Anfield will be followed three weeks later by a date with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, while this is Liverpool’s last chance of the year to steal points off a title rival.
The Reds are in dire straits when it comes to the fitness of their squad, yet the soon-to-depart Jurgen Klopp has heroically kept this wounded team firing with arguably his greatest managerial masterpiece yet. The fitness crisis for Liverpool is juxtaposed by a fully fit Manchester City side which has its biggest stars back from injury and in scintillating form.
USA: Click here to see the latest odds for Liverpool vs Man City and bet Premier League matches
Manchester City are the favoured side on the road at Anfield, a strong nod to their squad strength and superior fitness. However, it’s not a large gulf between these two sides, as many are backing Liverpool to hold serve at home.
Both teams are thought overwhelmingly likely to score, as these two clubs have seen each side fail to keep a clean sheet in three straight matchups and nine of their last 10 overall. However, the goals total is not overtly inflated, with it situated at just slightly above 3.0 goals between them.
Given the players available for both teams, it feels as if Manchester City are set up extremely well, but Jurgen Klopp has found a way to achieve dramatic results all season, and it’s hard to imagine that will change here, especially at Anfield where Man City have struggled to pull out wins.
There’s great value on the draw here, with the two giants often deadlocked, possibly putting off deciding the Premier League title until a later date.
MORE: Get a full look at the head-to-head rivalry between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool’s injury list is long and painful. Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, Joel Matip, and Diogo Jota have all been out for some time, while Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alisson are all in the midst of more recent injury absences. The status of Mohamed Salah will be monitored closely, the Egypt star having made a return to action as a substitute in the UEFA Europa League rout of Sparta Prague this week. There could be a host of academy graduates involved here with so many first-team players out for the Reds.
The main injury concern for Manchester City heading into this match is with Jack Grealish who suffered a muscle injury against Luton Town and has been missing since. Pep Guardiola rested a host of players in the 3-1 win against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, including Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne, and therefore should have a largely fit squad to take on this massive Premier League tilt. Jeremy Doku is still nursing a minor issue and Matheus Nunes dislocated a finger against Copenhagen, but both are expected to be in the squad for Anfield.
Given the context of this match, regardless of the final score, Liverpool feel the side more likely to be successful with their attempt at late-game heroics, as they have been all year long. Part of that is because of Liverpool’s incredible drive in the final stage of games, scoring an insane 24 goals in the final 15 minutes of league matches this season, which is nine more than any other Premier League club.
Yet part of that is also down to Manchester City, who have struggled somewhat to complete the 90 minutes. Pep Guardiola’s side has conceded eight goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season, more than any other interval, and they’ve coughed up over half (14) of their 27 total league goals conceded in the 60th minute or later.
It was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 80th minute equaliser that shared the points between these clubs back in November, and Liverpool could have another late say in this match regardless of whether the goal makes a difference in the end result or not.
While Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliance remains the most defining feature of this Manchester City attack, Phil Foden’s emergence as a reliable everyday forward this season has been thrilling to watch.
Foden shouldered much of the creative load while De Bruyne was injured, but since the Belgian regained his fitness, he has transitioned just to a pure goal scorer. Since De Bruyne’s return, Foden has six goals to just one assist in eight Premier League games, including a brace against Man United last time out.
The young England international was strong against Liverpool at Anfield last time they met, turning four shots worth 0.16 xG into 0.54 xGOT, denied three times by Alisson who will not be participating in this match due to injury.
Pep Guardiola has arguably the most talented squad in the world, and he will be going up against a depleted Liverpool lineup. That could play a role early, as Man City exert their dominance through the first 45 minutes of the match.
Yet the Anfield effect, Jurgen Klopp’s influence, and Liverpool refusal to die all season long will be pervasive throughout the match, and it could lift the Reds once again. As we’re backing them to score last, there’s also reason to believe that moment can have a meaningful effect on the game.
TV channel | Streaming | |
USA | USA Network, Telemundo | Fubo USA, NBC Sports app, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW |
Canada | — | Fubo Canada |
UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League | Sky Go Extra |
This top-tier Premier League match will be televised in the United States on USA Network, which is available to view on Fubo, which offers a FREE trial for new users. The match can also be streamed on the NBC Sports app.
Additionally, it will be available to view in Spanish on Telemundo, which is also available to access via Fubo.
The exclusive home for the 2023/24 Premier League season in Canada is Fubo Canada, with every single match of the campaign streaming under one roof.
Meanwhile, in the UK, this match will be televised by Sky Sports across its regular family of platforms.