Liverpool vs Man City preview, team news, line-ups, betting odds & prediction

Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield this afternoon in a game that will have a huge say in who ends up winning the Premier League title this season.

The Merseysiders currently sit five points clear at the top of the table after enjoying a sensational start to the campaign that’s seen then win 10 of their opening 11 games with their only dropped points so far coming with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

Another victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side this afternoon would extend Liverpool’s advantage at the top to eight points over second-placed Leicester City and nine ahead of fourth-placed Man City so they’d be an in excellent position to end their wait for a league title.

However, City could blow the title race wide open if they win today as they would climb up to second and move within just three points of Liverpool with victory at Anfield so it’s all to play for.

Liverpool come into the game off the back of a 2-1 victory over Genk in the Champions League while Manchester City had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Atalanta after seeing substitute goalkeeper Claudio Bravo sent off.

Team news

Liverpool will be without centre-back Joel Matip due to a knee injury that’s expected to keep him out for another few weeks do Dejan Lovren is likely to start ahead of Joe Gomez at the back.

Jordan Henderson is back in contention after recovering from illness which kept him out of the Genk game so he should be recalled in midfield alongside Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum.

Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are also primed for recalls after being rested in midweek but Xherdan Shaqiri remains on the sidelines with an on-going calf injury.

Man City have been dealt a blow as Ederson is set to miss out after picking up a thigh injury against Atalanta so Claudio Bravo will be recalled between the sticks. David Silva is a doubt with a muscle injury while Rodri will undergo a late fitness test on a hamstring problem.

Guardiola is certain to be without Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte as the trio are all still nursing long-term injuries so City have a number of injury concerns to contend with for this match.

Expected line-ups

Betting odds

A quick look at the sports betting markets shows us that Liverpool are the 9/5 favourites to win the game with Man City priced at 6/4. The draw is available at 5/2 and I think that might be tempting for many punters. Liverpool will be desperate not to lose and City can not afford to lose so I think this could be a tight match. Under 2.5 goals at odds of 31/20 looks like excellent value while a 1-1 draw can be backed at odds of 6/1.

Predicted score

Liverpool 1-1 Man City: The Reds have a formidable record at home as they’ve not lost in their last 45 games at Anfield and they’ve lost just one of their last 28 league games against City so it’s going to be difficult for the visitors. However, City shouldn’t be underestimated as they’ve won 11 of their last 12 Premier League away games and the defending champions are also a superb side so they’ll give Liverpool a real game this afternoon. I think we’ll see the spoils shared at Anfield with both sides having to settle for a 1-1 draw.