The Anfield showdown between Pep Guardiola’s league leaders and closest rivals Liverpool promises to one of the most exciting and pivotal clashes of the season.
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Its a meeting of two of Europe’s most attacking sides with a host of potential match-winners and game changers deployed in both squads.
Ahead of one of the most anticipated games of the season, we examine some of the likely key battles which could determine the outcome...
Kyle Walker v Andy Robertson
Right-back Walker was one of the cornerstones of City’s record-breaking season last year with his rampaging runs down the flanks, prodigious work-rate and confidence on the ball all catching the eye.
Walker has begun this campaign in similar vein and showed there was even more to his game in our win over Newcastle last month when he lashed home a spectacular long-range winner to register his first goal for the club.
One of the many fascinating sub-plots at Anfield could be his personal duel with Liverpool left-back Robertson.
Having initially taken time to settle on Merseyside after his move from Hull City, Robertson has since emerged as one of the most important players in Liverpool’s squad.
Strong in the tackle and alert to the danger around him, Robertson is a solid presence in defence. But he also emerged as one of Liverpool’s most effective attacking threats with his runs down the left flank and ability to whip in dangerous crosses.
Shutting out his supply line will be one of Walker’s key responsibilities.
Aymeric Laporte v Roberto Firmino
Though deployed at left-back in Tuesday’s Champions League victory away at Hoffenheim, Aymeric Laporte could well be back in his usual place at the heart of the City defence at Anfield and his presence could be crucial in negating the threat of Liverpool’s much-vaunted attack.
Comfortable in possession and armed with a wonderful passing technique, Laporte’s is also blessed with exceptional pace, sound positional sense and all-round strength and it’s those latter qualities which could well be needed come Sunday afternoon.
Alongside Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, Firmino completes a formidable trio of attacking threats and it’s the Brazilian who has arguably emerged as Liverpool’s key forward so far this season.
Firmino is integral to Liverpool’s 4-3-3 high-pressing system. Though an accomplished finisher, it’s his role in Liverpool’s build-up play that marks him out as a clear and present danger.
He frequently instigates quick counter-attacks and his prodigious work-rate means he is also adept at securing possession back from the opposition.
Sergio Aguero v Virgil van Dijk
City’s record goal-scorer, Aguero has started the 2018/19 campaign in sensational form and underlined his commitment to the Club by signing a new contract extension earlier this season.
Kun’s superb strike in our 2-0 win over Brighton last weekend took him to 148 Premier League goals in total – the same number that Shearer struck for Newcastle – and Bernardo Silva is amongst those who believe the Argentine has the potential to go on and beat Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals.
Having also found the target in our Champions League win at Hoffenheim, Kun will be looking to maintain that wonderful form at Anfield but to do so he will have to get the better of van Dijk.
Since his arrival at Anfield from Southampton in last January’s transfer window, the 27-year-old Dutchman has proved to be a significant addition to the Liverpool defensive set-up.
Van Dijk’s calmness in possession, tactical awareness and powerful presence has added both steel and strength to the Merseysiders’ defence and he is also a potent threat from set-pieces in attack too.
Leroy Sane v Trent Alexander-Arnold
Back to his dazzling, bewitching best, German winger Sane is again demonstrating the verve and confidence that saw him win the PFA Young Player of the Year award last season.
His trademark slaloming runs have left many an opposition defence in a daze and, crucially, Sane knows how to breach the Anfield back-line, having found the target there in our 4-3 league defeat last season.
England defender Alexander-Arnold is set to be entrusted with the unenviable task of trying to disrupt Sane’s rhythm.
After establishing himself in the Liverpool first team last season and subsequently being included in England’s World Cup finals squad in the summer, Alexander-Arnold has again caught the eye this term.
The very essence of the modern-day full-back with his willingness to sprint forward and add another dimension to Liverpool’s attack alongside his defensive duties, and he is dangerous with his crosses from the right flank.
Fernandinho v James Milner
This central midfield collision could be tag-lined as Friends Reunited given that Milner was a team-mate of Fernandinho’s at City for two seasons prior to his move to Liverpool in the summer of 2015.
Fernandinho and Milner may be 33 and 32 respectively but their value to each side cannot be over-estimated.
Brazilian Fernandinho’s responsibility in protecting the City back-line as well as providing the shield which allows City’s attacking talents to shine has led manager Pep Guardiola to describe him as ‘a gift.’
His role on Sunday will be crucial as City seek to deprive Liverpool of possession and draw the sting out of the hosts’ efforts to get on the front foot.
Milner, meanwhile, has evolved as instrumental in Jurgen Klopp’s set-up having been switched from full-back to central midfield where his discipline, big game knowledge and fitness have dovetailed to impressive effect.
Indeed, such has been Milner’s impact at Liverpool that manager Klopp suggested earlier this season he saw no reason why the former England international couldn’t continue until his late 30s given his supreme fitness levels.
