Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Manchester City

In the biggest game of the Premier League weekend, Liverpool host Manchester City in a battle of the heavyweights at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool races after a long pass

The Reds have made an excellent start to the Premier League campaign, winning 10 of their 12 games so far. They are already eight points clear of second-placed Man City and will extend their advantage this Sunday if they beat Pep Guardiola’s side.

Arne Slot’s side head into this juicy encounter after ending their Real Madrid hoodoo in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, beating the European champions 2-0. Confidence should be oozing within the home side’s camp ahead of the game against City, who come into this fixture off the back of five defeats in six games.

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool have been dealt with a big blow ahead of the titanic clash after Ibrahima Konate picked up an injury in midweek. He sustained a knee injury at the end of the 2-0 victory over Real Madrid and is set to be ruled out for five to six weeks.

The Reds’ medical department are continuing to assess Conor Bradley as even he picked up an injury in the European clash, but Arne Slot has confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit to start against Man City.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Manchester City (4-2-3-1)

football formations

Goalkeeper

In Alisson Becker’s injury absence, Caoimhin Kelleher has been excellent in goal. He continues to maintain a high level of consistency, but the Irishman will have to be at his best on Sunday to keep a clean sheet.

Defence

Ibrahima Konate’s injury is a body blow for Liverpool, leaving Slot short of options at the back. He will have to chose between Jarrell Quansah and Joe Gomez to partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence. The Dutchman could prefer experience over youth and go with Gomez on Sunday.

The news of Trent Alexander-Arnold being fit to start is great for the hosts. He will slot into his natural right-back position, while Andy Robertson looks to make a difference from the opposite side of the defence.

Midfield

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have been brilliant in the double pivot, controlling games with their passing, movement, energy and ball-winning skills. They are certain to start here, with the in-form Curtis Jones expected to get the nod over Dominik Szoboszlai in the No.10 role.

The trio have the quality to overrun Man City in midfield in the absence of the injured Rodri, similar to what many teams have done in recent weeks.

Attack

There is no looking past Mohamed Salah in attack. He is Liverpool’s top scorer and should be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a shaky City defence. Luis Diaz has the qualities to torment the visitors from the left flank, with Darwin Nunez expected to lead the attack.

Cody Gakpo, who scored in the 2-0 win over Madrid, would be a great option to bring him off the bench.

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