By Sam McGuire
A win would cap off an unimaginable week for the Reds having already seen off Actual Madrid within the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The season thus far
Arne Slot’s aspect have been virtually faultless this time period.
The previous Feyenoord boss has guided the 2019/20 Premier League champions to 10 wins and a attract his opening 12 matches within the league whereas the Reds have a 100% document in cup competitions.
Solely Tottenham Hotspur (2.3) are averaging extra objectives per sport than Liverpool (two) within the English top-flight and the Reds have the third-highest Anticipated Targets whole (23.6), so their attacking numbers are pretty sustainable. Defensively, they’re sturdy. The Merseyside membership have saved probably the most clear sheets (six), have the bottom objectives in opposition to per sport determine (0.7) and have the bottom Anticipated Targets In opposition to whole (10.7).
In a nutshell, their performances are worthy of their place within the Premier League desk.
The Reds are bossing it in Europe too having received all 5 of their Champions League ties this time period.
By comparability, it has been a little bit of a battle for Manchester Metropolis.
Pep Guardiola’s males began the season properly and put collectively a 13-match unbeaten run. This included a four-match and five-match successful streak. Erling Haaland was scoring objectives for enjoyable too, netting back-to-back hat-tricks within the Premier League as he raced clear within the hunt for a 3rd successive Golden Boot.
However then the objectives dried up. As did the wins.
Their final victory arrived in October and so they head to Anfield winless in six. Their underlying numbers within the Premier League have tailed off too.
Metropolis have the ninth finest defensive document with an Anticipated Targets In opposition to whole of 15.9. They’re permitting 1.4 objectives in opposition to per 90 and have saved simply two clear sheets. In assault, they’re nonetheless harmful. Their Anticipated Targets whole of 24.4 is the best within the Premier League. Nevertheless, they’re scoring simply 1.8 objectives per 90. Possibilities aren’t being transformed. Couple that with a struggling defence and it’s clear why their title bid has been abruptly halted. For now, not less than.
Earlier encounters
Liverpool’s document in opposition to Manchester Metropolis hasn’t been that nice over current years. The Reds have received simply three of the earlier 12 encounters. Nevertheless, they’ve solely misplaced on 4 events. A whole lot of these matches finish in a stalemate.
It’s value noting although that Guardiola’s aspect have hit their opponents for 4 objectives on three events. After they do decide up a win over the Merseyside membership, it tends to be an emphatic one.
The Reds have received simply one in every of their final 4 matches in opposition to Metropolis at Anfield, so house comforts have counted for little or no just lately on this explicit conflict.
Present type
Metropolis ended their 5 match shedding streak on Tuesday but it surely wasn’t a reason for celebration. Guardiola’s aspect took a 3-0 lead in opposition to Feyenoord within the Champions League however needed to accept some extent because the Eredivisie aspect scored three objectives within the remaining 16 minutes to stun the Etihad.
The three-3 draw now means Man Metropolis have conceded 17 objectives throughout their final six matches. They’ve conceded a minimal of two objectives in each single match. Feyenoord hit them for 3 whereas each Spurs and Sporting scored 4 occasions in large wins over the Residents.
Liverpool, alternatively, are flying.
Since their shock 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in September, the Reds have received 14 of their 15 matches. They’re at the moment on a six match successful streak and have overwhelmed the champions of Spain and Germany throughout this run. Slot’s aspect are relentless, ruthless and resilient proper now.
The Damage scenario
Liverpool are nonetheless with out some key gamers regardless of the returns of Harvey Elliott and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Each have been on the bench for the win over Actual Madrid. Nevertheless, Ibrahima Konaté hobbled off at full-time in opposition to the LaLiga champions whereas Conor Bradley was changed with what appeared like a hamstring problem. These two may be a part of Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsmikas and Federico Chiesa on the sidelines for this match.
Metropolis are having a little bit of an damage disaster proper now as properly.
Jérémy Doku, Oscar Bobb, Mateo Kovačić and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri are all dominated out. Guardiola’s choices in assault and midfield are each severely restricted proper now however this was at all times a risk when the champions determined to promote Julian Alvárez in the summertime with out bringing in a alternative.
Prediction
That is normally a tepid affair with each groups exhibiting the opposite plenty of respect.
Slot may see it as a possibility although. Metropolis are having a disaster of confidence proper now and Liverpool may take full benefit of this. With Anfield behind them, an announcement win may very well be on the playing cards. They did it in opposition to Madrid. They will do it in opposition to the Residents this week.
We’re going with a Liverpool win.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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