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It’s a game of competing ambitions at Anfield, as Liverpool host Manchester City in one of the Premier League’s headline fixtures. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from Sunday evening at 10:45pm AEDT.
It hasn’t been exactly 12 months since these two sides last did battle in Merseyside, but the fortunes of both have taken a decidedly contrasting turn since. Philippe Coutinho’s winner was meant to precipitate Liverpool’s first domestic league title since 1990, and end Manchester City’s title challenge. Yet while victory that day was the last golden moment of a brilliant season for the Reds, defeat revitalised the blue Mancunians towards their second Premier League title in three seasons.
This time, Manchester City make another visit to Anfield playing catch-up, only it’s the Blue of Chelsea and not the Red of Liverpool they are chasing. Victory will cut Chelsea’s lead to two points, even if the Londoners have a game in hand. Whereas three points for the Reds will bring them to the cusp of the top four places, after an otherwise miserable season.
While elimination from the Europa League was bad news enough for Liverpool, making this fixture evidently more difficult is the lack of preparation time. Having lost to Besiktas on Friday morning before the arduous journey back from Turkey, the Reds only have a single day’s preparation for the visit of the English champions. It was this in mind that Brendan Rodgers decided to utilise a second-string outfit for the European fixture, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling all staying back in Merseyside getting ready for Manchester City.
Despite the Europa League and League Cup exits, Liverpool have been the form Premier League side of 2015, recovering what was a precarious position into one where remaining in next year’s Champions League is still distinctly possible. Yet Liverpool have fallen prey to losing momentum following a defeat, and while complacency should be no issue against the champions, Rodgers will be mindful of the knockback effect inflicting a sub-par performance.
Team wise, Rodgers will likely retain the back three formation that has served Liverpool’s recovery so well. Dejan Lovren should remain a part of that, despite his penalty miss against Besiktas, with Mamadou Sakho still unavailable. The questions surrounding Joe Allen’s place remain, yet he’s likely to start as Liverpool are still without Steven Gerrard and Lucas. The big plus for the Reds will be the form of Coutinho coupled alongside Sterling and former City and now-Reds goal talisman Daniel Sturridge.
Manchester City’s preparation also comes at the back of a last-start defeat, albeit one inflicted by Barcelona. Yet with two extra days of preparation, excuses will run thin on the ground should City fail to take three points at Anfield.
The form of captain Vincent Kompany is a growing concern, and even if he is retained at the back, Pellegrini will look to employ the defensive-minded Fernandinho to shield him at the base of midfield. Yaya Toure’s return from Ivory Coast duty has seen the inevitable upturn in City’s fortunes, while both Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko could start in a game along with David Silva where City will target a Liverpool back three.
Both teams will begin from positive results in their last Premier League game, with City flaying Newcastle 5-0 at home, while Liverpool earnt a hard-fought 2-0 result at Southampton. This game may not have the emotion nor the weight of last season’s encounter, but no question that defeat for either team may spell the end of their individual ambitions this season.
With Manchester City arguably having more to play for, they can be considered favourites to win at the den of noise and passion that is Anfield.
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