Liverpool will host Manchester City at home on the New Year’s Eve, as both sides chase Chelsea in the table.
This matchup promises to be the most exciting fixture yet in the current Premier League season, as the two most attacking sides go head-to-head with 84 league goals scored between them.
The two sides also share the weakness in the back, with both having the most goals conceded among the current top six, as they have given up a combined 41 goals. If stats are anything to go by, this fixture should provide plenty of goals with end-to-end excitement.
The hosts are having one of their best seasons in the recent years under Jurgen Klopp. The Merseyside club comes into the game with 40 points collected in 18 matches, and their form seems to be top notch with their last three results all victories for them. Even with star player Philippe Coutinho sidelined due to an ankle injury, which will also rule him out for this fixture, the Reds have managed to score an impressive eight goals.
Defender Joel Matip will join Coutinho on the sideline as he is also set to miss the game with ankle problems, but the return of striker Daniel Sturridge should provide a massive boost for the team. The England international only needed 56 seconds to find the net against Stoke after coming on as a substitute and admitted he was feeling positive after the match.
The return of Daniel Sturridge will provide Liverpool a boost
Pep Guardiola’s men are also in a similar top form. After suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Leicester City, the Citizens have bounced back with a three-match winning streak including an important victory over Arsenal. The most impressive part about this streak is their back line, which has kept two clean sheets and looked improved.
Star striker Sergio Aguero is also set to return from his suspension, which will be a massive boost for Guardiola. The Argentine has already bagged 10 goals in just 12 league appearances this season and will look to take advantage of Liverpool’s weak defense.
Meanwhile it’s still unclear if the defender John Stones will be fit enough to face Liverpool. The £50 million player suffered a kick to the knee during the game against Hull and was substituted in the 18th minute. However, Guardiola has come out and said he should be okay to feature on Saturday. Leroy Sane is also a doubt after missing the game against Hull.
Overall, this exciting matchup seems the perfect treat for supporters to watch before heading out to celebrate the arrival of the new year, with both clubs sharing the same attacking powers and defensive woes. Judging from their games this season, both teams will come out attacking each other rather than playing safe and waiting for each other’s mistakes.
The battle between two managers is also something to look out for as Klopp and Guardiola look to resume their rivalry from Bundesliga days. The Spaniard has the upper hand in this clash with four wins, three defeats, and one draw in eight matches against the German. Guardiola was in town to watch Liverpool trash Stoke on Tuesday, meanwhile Klopp admitted he has not watched City play.
Jurgen Klopp had a brilliant response to Pep Guardiola's 'spying mission' at Anfield... https://t.co/azJmIiXgsl pic.twitter.com/H4SWVJvMZY
— TheSPORTbible (@TSBible) December 28, 2016
Although the hosts are undefeated in the last 16 fixtures they played in Anfield, the in-form Manchester City are more than good enough to break the record. This should end as a draw in a high-scoring affair with both clubs canceling each other out, but if one were to come out with a win it should be Guardiola’s men as they possess more star power and individual talent.
Projected Lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3) - Mignolet; Milner, Lovren, Klavan, Clyne; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Origi, Firmino, Mane
Man City (4-2-3-1) - Bravo; Clichy, Kolarov, Otamendi, Zabaleta; Fernandinho, Yaya Toure; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
How To Watch or Stream Liverpool vs Manchester City
TV: NBC USA (U.S. - English); NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish); TSN1 (Canada); BT Sport 1 (U.K.)
Online Streaming: NBC Sports Live (U.S.); NBC Universo Now (U.S. - Spanish); TSN Go (Canada); BT Sport live streaming (U.K.)
For online listings in other countries, you can check out LiveSoccerTV
