Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling revert to the bench as Pep Guardiola’s side go in search of what would be a second successive league win at Anfield.
Our back line and midfield is once again unchanged from the line ups that performed so well at both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
Ruben Dias is again entrusted with the captain’s armband.
Line ups:
City: Ederson, Walker, Dias (c), Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Grealish, Jesus, Foden
Subs: Steffen, Carson, Stones, Ake, Sterling, Torres, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Palmer
Liverpool: Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Jones, Salah, Jota, Mane
Subs: Konate, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Tsimikas, Kelleher, N Williams
Formation and possible tactics
City once again look set to deploy the 4-3-3 formation which has proved the bedrock of our success over the past few seasons.
With Ederson the reassuring figure in goal, the Brazilian ‘keeper will be shielded by a back four of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo.
Rodrigo is entrusted with the key holding midfield role with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva also in the engine room.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Jack Grealish, Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden look set to form our attacking trident though, of course, the beauty of Pep’s set up is that we are able to make seamless and fluid tactical adaptations where necessary.
Finish on a high
Today’s clash not only signals the end of a huge week on the road for City but also marks the signpost ahead of the October international break.
Last Saturday’s superb 1-0 win at Chelsea was then followed by a slender loss away at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
However, Pep Guardiola was at pains in Friday’s pre-match press conference to praise City’s attitude and level of performance across both matches.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY PODCAST
Liverpool, the only unbeaten side left in the Premier League, will post another stern examination this afternoon – especially with a full house urging them on at Anfield.
But another positive result on Merseyside would round off one of the toughest weeks of the season in fitting fashion and send us into the international break in great heart.
Stats and facts
Head-to-head
- City won this fixture 4-1 last season, ending a run of 17 away league games without a win against Liverpool (D5, L12).
- City could earn consecutive league victories over Liverpool for the first time since a run of four between 1935 to 1937.
- Liverpool have won just one of their last seven matches against City in all competitions (D3, L3).
Manchester City
- City could equal our club record of six consecutive clean sheets in the league.
- Our three previous away league fixtures this season have finished 1-0. We lost at Tottenham but beat Leicester and Chelsea by the identical scoreline.
- City’s 12 league goals this season have been scored by nine different players (plus an own goal) - only Chelsea, with 10, have had more goalscorers.
- Fernandinho could become just the second Brazilian player to make 250 Premier League appearances, emulating Willian.
- Pep Guardiola has suffered eight defeats in all competitions against teams managed by Jurgen Klopp - more than he has lost to any other rival.
Liverpool
- Liverpool are the only unbeaten side left in the Premier League (W4, D2).
- Their current run of 16 league games without defeat, spanning two seasons, is the longest of any team in England’s top four divisions (W12, D4).
- Mohamed Salah has scored four goals in his five appearances at Anfield against Manchester City in all competitions.
- Virgil van Dijk is unbeaten in all 50 of his Premier League appearances at Anfield for Liverpool (W44, D6).
