3 things Liverpool fans should want to see versus Manchester City
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But, if Liverpool can replicate the defensive cohesion they’ve shown in their recent back-to-back clean sheets, holding City to just one goal would still give them a strong chance to take all three points.The obvious focal point of Pep Guardiola’s attack is Erling Haaland, who has already scored a staggering 13 league goals as the Norwegian striker looks firmly back to his best after a “quiet” 2024/25 by his standards.Fortunately for Liverpool, Haaland has often struggled to find the back of the net against them. The Belgian is undoubtedly gifted, but Vini Jr. is a Ballon d’Or–level talent— and Bradley handled him brilliantly.City are stacked with individual quality, but between Liverpool’s recent defensive resurgence and their past showings in this fixture, there’s plenty of evidence to show that the Reds can disrupt Guardiola’s attack.FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL | PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages2.
That’s a major turnaround after early knocks to Gravenberch and some initial rust from Mac Allister briefly threatened the sublime cohesion the trio built last season.Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s best overall player this season, produced one of his best performances of the title-winning campaign the last time Liverpool visited the Etihad, registering a goal and an assist while covering seemingly every blade of grass. Doing so against an opponent like City would be a massive boost in an area of the pitch where the Reds have arguably been most underwhelming this season.Mohamed Salah— who has recently reasserted his place in the starting XI with a goal against Villa and a strong display versus Real— is just one strike away from reaching double digits in his career tally against City.
It’s impossible to forget that the Egyptian King has also scored one of the greatest solo goals in Premier League history against Guardiola’s side, a reminder of just how much he relishes this fixture.City have shown real defensive solidity this season, sitting joint-second for fewest goals conceded with just eight. But given Wirtz’s uneven form this season, he may instead turn to Cody Gakpo— a player whose skillset makes him a far more predictable, and perhaps safer, option.Gakpo also scored against City last season, and if Slot believes the likely frantic pace of Sunday’s match could unsettle Wirtz in his first appearance at the home of one of Liverpool’s fiercest rivals, Cody may well be the one who gets the nod in the Starting XI.But whether it’s Wirtz or Gakpo, whoever lines up across Salah will need to deliver a truly decisive performance if the Reds are to come away with the win.