Manchester City v Liverpool – The Premier League Preview

Date – 23rd February 2025

Venue – Etihad Stadium

Kick-off – 16.30

After a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa in the week, Liverpool’s next away day encounter will see the Premier League leaders head to their nearby rivals where an intriguing game against the reigning champions, Manchester City, awaits Arne Slot and his Anfield giants. Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season to West Ham yesterday gives the Reds a chance to put their feet firmly on the throat of this title race, and a win against the flagging Champions becomes huge.

https://twitter.com/anfieldindex/status/1893062512095965280?s=46

Manchester City Availability

Man City manager Pep Guardiola will be without several key players: Rodri, Manuel Akanji, Oscar Bobb and John Stones are all out, whereas Erling Haaland may be deemed unfit to start.

In terms of recent form, the hosts lost both legs of their recent Champions League playoff round, as a home 2-3 loss against Real Madrid was followed by a 3-1 defeat away to the European heavyweights. In between those losses came a superb 4-0 home victory over Newcastle United in their last Premier League match. After 25 matches in the top tier, 44 points have been accumulated leading to a 4th place standing in the current table.

The predicted lineup for Manchester City, using a 4-2-3-1 formation, is as follows: I suspect that Erling Haaland will indeed be fit to start and that Kevin De Bruyne will be plotted back into the starting lineup also.

GK – Ederson

RB – Abdukodir Khusanov

RCB – Rúben Dias

LCB – Nathan Aké

LB – Joško Gvardiol

CM – Matheus Nunes

CM – Kevin De Bruyne

ACM – Bernardo Silva

RW – Omar Marmoush

CF – Erling Haaland

LW – Jérémy Doku

Liverpool Availability

Liverpool will be without Joe Gomez who has sustained a hamstring injury, one that could keep him sidelined for much of the remainder of the season. Tyler Morton is injured for an undetermined period and Cody Gakpo is a doubt for this game after missing his team’s last outing. Conor Bradley has also sustained a hamstring strain that could keep him sidelined until after the upcoming international break.

Before the 2-2 at Villa Park, the Reds recorded a 2-1 home win against Wolves and the controversial 2-2 draw at Everton. With 26 matches played, Liverpool currently tops the Premier League standings with an impressive 61 points.

Here is the expected lineup that Arne Slot will field for this away match against the former European champions.

– GK: Alisson Becker

– RB: Trent Alexander Arnold

– RCB: Ibrahima Konaté

– LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)

– LB: Kostas Tsimikas

– CM: Ryan Gravenberch

– ACM: Dominik Szoboszlai

– CM: Alexis Mac Allister

– RF: Mohamed Salah

– CF: Luis Díaz

– LF: Cody Gakpo

https://twitter.com/anfieldindex/status/1893043266439778461?s=46

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool is expected to mount a strong and aggressive approach to this game. The consistency in the Reds lineup will look to overthrow a side that has struggled for form of late and the desire of the visiting team should see them prevail in a low-scoring game. Omar Marmoush will offer a huge threat that will need to be monitored by Virgil and Co.

Player to Watch: Cody Gakpo   

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Manchester City 0 – 1 Liverpool