How Liverpool can beat Man City, who should Klopp pick and our predictions

Liverpool and Manchester City’s rivalry has gone to a new level in the last five years.

After a hiatus last season, when Jurgen Klopp’s side fell way short of their usual standards, normal service has been resumed this term and the clubs occupy the top two slots in the Premier League before Saturday’s meeting at the Etihad.

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We assembled our panel of Anfield experts to dissect the game — where it will be won and lost, which City player would make the best addition to Klopp’s squad and get their predicted scores.

Are these the best two teams in the league?

James Pearce: I believe so. After last season’s slump, Liverpool are a resurgent force and are breathing down the neck of Pep Guardiola’s side. Yes, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also close behind but Liverpool look better equipped to be the main challengers to City given the array of firepower at Klopp’s disposal.

Gregg Evans: City are still the best team in the division. That they’re top of the pile without Kevin De Bruyne is a worrying thought. This season, though, Liverpool and Arsenal are much closer and this weekend will go some way to showing how interesting the title race will be.

Andy Jones: They are — even if Arsenal would argue otherwise. Under Klopp, the only club that has taken City all the way in a title fight is a Liverpool team with confidence and momentum. They have those ingredients right now. The question is whether Liverpool 2.0 can do it over the length of a campaign.

Caoimhe O’Neill: City are the best, even with their slip-ups. Liverpool’s start has been impressive but they are still in title-race purgatory. Are they contenders or not? There have been plenty of glimpses but there will be a more definitive answer on Saturday.

Where can Liverpool target City?

Pearce: Chelsea showed them the way in that crazy 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge when they swarmed all over City and forced mistakes. Klopp’s side have to play with the same level of intensity. They also need to be brave in terms of beating the press when in possession. If they do that then I fancy Liverpool’s prolific front line to do some damage, especially with their pace and power on the counter-attack. City are magnificent but they haven’t performed with the same level of control this season. They’ve missed Ilkay Gundogan since he left and injuries to De Bruyne and John Stones have hurt them.

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Evans: Blimey, how do you stop a team that has won 21 games at home in a row? Admittedly City did look a little out of sorts at Chelsea and the biggest takeaway from that game was their ineffective press. Chelsea passed their way out from the back comfortably so if Liverpool can do the same, that might be the key. City are used to opponents sitting back and defending at the Etihad but Klopp will have other ideas.

Jones: While the 4-1 defeat at the Etihad last season was one of too many low points, Liverpool’s goal to take the lead was excellent. They drew City forward, played out from the back and beat their high line with runners. With the steps forward Darwin Nunez has taken and his recent goal from Uruguay showing how tough he is to catch when breaking in behind, the space behind City’s defence should be the target.

O’Neill: There is a small dent in the side of City’s supercar. If you look closely enough, the initials of Gary O’Neil, Mikel Arteta and Mauricio Pochettino are scratched into the paint. Chelsea’s performance stood out but Arsenal’s 1-0 win over City is more of a blueprint, in particular how they used a double pivot of Declan Rice and Jorginho to shield City progressing through central areas of the pitch. That helped restrict Erling Haaland.

How would you solve the No 6 conundrum?

Pearce: Alexis Mac Allister has to start. Wataru Endo didn’t do enough against Brentford to justify keeping his place.

Evans: Umm, sign Rodri? On a serious note, we need this weekend to pass first before making any real judgement on how short Liverpool are in this position. There’s an argument that they have enough multi-functioning midfielders to get by this season and then take a closer look at the role in the summer, hopefully when Stefan Bajcetic has had more games to aid his development.

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Jones: Mac Allister remains the most suitable option. He’s still growing into the role and this will be as big a test as he could get. Over the season, it shouldn’t be too big a factor but if they struggle in crunch games it will be something they will need to address, or hope Bajcetic takes a huge step in his development.

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O’Neill: Proceed with Mac Allister. Play Endo when required. Hope Bajcetic valiantly returns. And look to bolster in January?

Which City player would you most love to see play for Liverpool?

Pearce: Haaland is a goal machine, De Bruyne is a joy to watch and Josko Gvardiol would be ideal in defence. However, in terms of what Liverpool really need, it would have to be Rodri. He was so influential as the defensive shield in winning the treble.

Evans: The obvious answer is Rodri — he’d solve so many defensive midfield issues. But De Bruyne would be entertaining at Anfield and make the Liverpool midfield even more exciting.

Jones: My head says Rodri because there is no better No 6 in world football and it would answer any questions surrounding that position. My heart, though, says De Bruyne. An incredible passer who would pull every string for those in front of him. Imagine him and Dominik Szoboszlai in your midfield! Magic.

O’Neill: The first-round draft pick has to be Haaland. The ‘break emergency glass’ pick would be Rodri. But that’s not the question, is it? Who would I love to see play for Liverpool from City? Kevin De Bruyne. You can’t help but think how much better Liverpool would have been with him anchoring everything.

How do you explain Liverpool’s shaky away form?

Pearce: No away league win since September doesn’t tell the full story. There was the defeat at Tottenham when a VAR shambles cost them dear. A draw away to Brighton isn’t a bad result and although they were lacklustre at Luton, they still had chances to win that game. I wouldn’t read anything into the Europa League defeat in Toulouse given Klopp made nine changes that night. A more telling stat is that Liverpool haven’t won at the Etihad in the Premier League since November 2015 and their last trip there in April resulted in a chastening 4-1 defeat. Thankfully, they now possess a new-look midfield after being completely out-run and out-classed that day.

Evans: Perhaps it’s not as bad as we’ve been making out. The sheer number of difficult away games — Chelsea, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers (who are taking points off all the top teams), Tottenham and Brighton — hasn’t helped, yet Liverpool only lost one of those five. It’s the more recent setbacks at Luton and Toulouse that are concerning and in both games, they were guilty of missing big chances.

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Jones: There was sloppiness at both ends of the pitch against Luton and Toulouse. Sometimes it feels Liverpool get sucked into playing the opposition’s game and at their level rather than their own. This game isn’t one to draw conclusions from either because it is like a cup final.

O’Neill: Even for vast improvements, Liverpool still have a little of last season’s jeopardy in them they need to get out of their system. The defensive line has improved but is not yet imperious. The midfield is re-energised but is lacking total control in some games (Luton was a good example). And despite the array of attackers, the forward line needs to be converting more of their chances.

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Is the 12.30 kick-off a problem?

Pearce: The Saturday lunchtime slot straight after an international break is a stupid time for this fixture to take place. Preparation will be far from ideal for both managers with players returning from all over the world. Judging who is ready for duty will be crucial. At least Liverpool are well versed in this scenario having beaten Wolves and Everton in the same dreaded kick-off time after the other two international breaks this season.

Evans: It’s a bad time to watch the biggest game of the weekend but from a performance perspective, it’s the same for both teams. Liverpool have also had enough practice preparing for these lunchtime kick-offs, so they will know what to avoid.

Jones: It’s not the time this game should be played at, but if there was ever an opponent that got you fired up for the early kick-off it would be this one. It didn’t matter what time Liverpool played last season, they were generally not very good anyway. Hopefully, they’re shedding the mental block the 12.30 games appeared to carry last season.

O’Neill: It’s not a problem if your team wins!

Our starting XIs

And what’s your score prediction?

Pearce: Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool

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Evans: Manchester City 3-2 Liverpool

Jones: Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool

O’Neill: Manchester City 3-1 Liverpool

(Top photos: Pep Guardiola, left and Jurgen Klopp; both Getty Images)

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