A potential season-defining contest this morning as Manchester City host Liverpool. Join us for live scores minute-by-minute commentary from 4.30am AEDT.
Liverpool celebrated Christmas Day as the competition leaders for the first time since 2008 after their 3-1 win over Cardiff City on Saturday, but could go into this evening in second should Arsenal win or draw at Upton Park.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has emphasised in the leadup to this one that City still remain strong favourites to win the title but in truth he’ll know the statement that his side can potentially make with a win.
Despite their top-of-the-table status, Liverpool have struggled away from Anfield of late. Notwithstanding their 5-0 demolition that led to the demise of Andre Villas-Boas, the Reds have lost at Hull City and Arsenal and drawn at Newcastle and Everton.
It’s pointing out the bleeding obvious but Liverpool will again rely on the strikepower of Luis Suarez.
Since the Uruguayan has returned he’s hit the net 19 times in 12 matches and with no Daniel Sturridge he will again shoulder the bulk of the Reds attack.
The home side have the misfortune of their own talisman, Sergio Aguero, unavailable due to a calf injury that will keep him out at least another five to six weeks.
Still, City come into this game looking to make it 10 games unbeaten in all competitions with the only blemish in that nine-match unbeaten run a 1-1 draw at Southampton.
In their last two Premiership fixtures they’ve notched up 10 goals with 6-3 and 4-2 wins over Arsenal and Fulham respectively, largely thanks to their multi-faceted attack.
While both teams seem to be having no problems in front of goal, this could be one that boils down to what happens in the middle of the park.
Yaya Toure and Fernandinho providing perhaps the best two-man screen in the league, and the likes of Navas and Silva providing the threat further forward, the Liverpool midfield will have their hands full trying to protect what has been at times a fragile back four.
Rodgers will be hoping Jordan Henderson, who shone playing as a deep-lying midfielder in place of injured captain Steven Gerrard in the win over City, can again do the job at the Etihad.
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Guest
Layth, Thanks for your efforts. In Italy right now so nowhere near a TV, but your comments brought it alive. And wow, the top of the table is beautifully positioned for a cracking 2014. Cheers.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
90 mins +4 FULL TIME 2-1 Manchester City 2 - 1 Liverpool 1 City go second, Liverpool fall to fourth - but both sides have displayed their title credentials in a game that was decided by a terrible error from Reds keeper Mingolet late in the first half. It's been a terrific afternoon of football. If you've been with me from the West Ham United v Arsenal game you deserve a medal - or at the very least a pint bought by myself in honour of your stamina. I'm off to lie in a darkened room before I embark on a midnight vigil watching the second day at the MCG from a wet and windy Blighty... Hope you enjoyed it, thanks for reading. As ever tweet/email your opinions/rants and riffs to the Roar - or tweet me @laythy29 Cheers
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
90 mins 2-1 Perhaps frustrated by his penalty appeal being turned down Suarez is booked for a foul on Hart. Liverpool have gone for it in the last 15 minutes but City have denied time and space to their attacking efforts in the last third.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
88 mins 2-1 Suarez sees a claim for a penalty rejected, while Toure whips a strike wide. City players indicating the Uruguayan dived, whilst Suarez's teammates appealed for a penalty.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
85 mins 2-1 Substitution: Javi Garcia on for David Silva.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
85 mins 2-1 Booking: Victor Moses for a foul on Zabaleta.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
85 mins 2-1 As things stand Arsenal will be top with 39 points, City 2nd with 38, Chelsea 3rd with 37 and Liverpool fourth on 36.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
84 mins 2-1 Suarez bundled over by Toure approx. 30 yards from goal. His resulting free kick flies well over the bar. Not been his day so far...
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
80 mins 2-1 Substitution: Iago Aspas for Lucas Leiva.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
79 mins 2-1 Booking: Pablo Zabaleta for a foul on Moses.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
75 mins 2-1 Substitution: Edin Dzeko comes on for Alvaro Negredo who has been his usual busy bustling self - did he ever played as consistently well for Valencia? I can't recall such sustained impressive form in Spain.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
74 mins 2-1 David Silva dribbles down the left picking Negredo at the far post - but his header is kept out by Mignolet who is determined to make up for his first half error.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
72 mins 2-1 My word that should have been 2-2! Suarez on the left, skinned the right-back Zabaleta before crossing to the far post to Sterling. The youngster who was six yards out with the goal at his mercy managed to spoon it over the bar. Great flair and cross from Suarez but no excuse for Sterling not to score. Will they rue that miss?
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
71 mins Substitution: James Milner on for a tiring Samir Nasri:
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
69 mins 2-1 The game is picking up again as Liverpool look to grab something from this match. Henderson tries an audacious backheel but Hart saves comfortably.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
68 mins 2-1 Skrtel needed to make another crucial block to ensure Kompany would not be on the end of a wicked cross.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
67 mins 2-1 Substitution: Victor Moses on for Philippe Coutinho who looks to have run out of steam after an impressive first half.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
66 mins 2-1 Booking for Glen Johnson after a foul on Kolarov.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
65 mins 2-1 The game at the moment is scrappy, lacking fluency. Passes going astray.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
63 mins 2-1 After the fireworks of the first half the game appears to have fallen into a lull. Liverpool making a few careless errors, mostly involving Sakho. The bulk of possession that City have had in the second half appears to be taking a toll on Liverpool and their high intensity pressing game.