We know that Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday in the United States and of course, there’s going to be lots of interest in the big game in Tampa Bay. However, there is an equally huge game taking place in the Premier League this weekend too.

Manchester City travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in a game that has potentially massive significance in the title race this year.

After Liverpool’s blip in form, two wins in London over Spurs and West Ham have brought them back into contention at the top of the table. However, they face Brighton in the league tonight knowing that they must win that game, as well as Sunday’s huge clash.

With Manchester City on a superb run of form having won all of their last 12 games in all competitions to move top of the EPL table, City know a win at Anfield would hand them a massive advantage over the chasing pack behind them. City are also in action tonight as they face Burnley and it is worth noting that they have a game in hand on the teams chasing them.

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Let’s now take a closer look at Sunday’s game and how important it will be for both teams.

Liverpool v Manchester City Preview

Both teams are in action once again before the game on Sunday. Manchester City face a trip to Burnley on Wednesday evening to take on Sean Dyche’s men and to keep their winning run of games going.

Then later on in the evening, Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield hoping to get back to winning ways on home soil after their shock loss to Burnley last time out here.

Assuming both teams win those games (and that is by no means a certainty given how unpredictable the Premier League has been this season) it would mean we head into the game with City four points ahead of Liverpool and with a game in hand on the Reds. With Manchester United three behind City, also having played a game more.

A win for City over Liverpool would therefore stretch their lead over the Reds to seven points and they would also have a game in hand. That is a potentially decisive ten-point lead in the title race.

In contrast, a win for Liverpool would cut City’s lead on them to a single point, though City would still have a game in hand.

Sunday’s game is so finely balanced, it promises to be hugely intriguing so let’s take a look at the teams likely to face off against each other this weekend.

Liverpool V Manchester City Team News

The big news for Liverpool this week is that defender Joel Matip is yet another centre half out for the season for the Reds. He joins Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk as a long-term injury absentee.

With only two youngsters (Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams) plus two converted central midfielders in the also injured Fabinho and skipper Jordan Henderson, as their central defensive cover, the Reds moved into the transfer market this week.

They signed Preston North End defender Ben Davies for £2 million, as well as securing Ozkan Kabak on loan from Schalke with a view to a permanent move. It remains to be seen whether either will be thrust into the first team for this crucial game.

Fabinho’s injury is not thought to be too serious and he could be fit to play in defence which would be a boost for the Reds. The front three should all also start with the Reds keeping a similar team to that which won well at Spurs and West Ham, barring any injuries against Brighton this evening.

  • Potential Liverpool Team – (4-3-3) – Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Fabinho, Phillips, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Henderson, Mane, Firmino, Salah

Manchester City have Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne both absent for this game and despite their improved form of late, scoring goals has been a problem for them this season. They also do not have the best of records at Anfield.

The form of full back Joao Cancelo has been a huge boost for City in recent times as he has become a very dangerous attacking threat, while Ilkay Gundogan has become a lynchpin in midfield, as well as a useful source of goals from deeper lying positions.

There is no doubt though that the midfield lacks a little fizz without De Bruyne and while City can cope against the lesser teams in the Premier League, it is going to be interesting to see how they cope in this game, which will be one of their toughest tests of the season.

  • Potential Man City Team – (4-3-3) – Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Rodrigo, Silva, Foden, Sterling, Jesus.

Liverpool v Manchester City Predictions and Tips

City’s record at Anfield is shocking. They achieved a 0-0 draw in October 2018 but that is their sole point from their last six visits to Anfield and they have not won here since the 2003 season.

Admittedly, without the crowd in attendance, Anfield is not as daunting a prospect and with Liverpool’s long unbeaten home record now over, City will feel a little more confident that the Reds can be beaten on home soil.

For me though the key to the game here is Fabinho’s fitness. If he plays, then I think the Reds can cope with City’s attack as they did at the Etihad when De Bruyne played and I think that does tip the game slightly in favour of the home team.

Liverpool are 2-1 to win this game with bet365 at the moment and I think that is a great price for a team who went 68 games unbeaten here and against an opponent missing their best and most creative player, who are struggling a little for goals despite their winning run and who historically have a poor record at Anfield.

Prediction – Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City (11/1 with bet365)

*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of Wednesday 3rd February 2021.