Man City’s trip to Liverpool could be the downfall for their unbeaten dream
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Reds boast all the right qualities
Manchester City are storming towards an unbeaten Premier League campaign. But Pep Guardiola’s men face perhaps their biggest hurdle this weekend.
The Citizens head to Anfield to face a Liverpool side who are arguably the second-best team in the country right now.
Of their remaining 16 fixtures, City also visit Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but the London duo don’t boast the threat of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
And though City thrashed the Merseysiders 5-0 in the reverse tie, Sadio Mane’s first-half red card means little can be read into that one.
Liverpool have lost just once since that day, and have sizeably improved as the season has gone on.
Simply put, this weekend’s game represents City’s biggest chance of seeing their unbeaten run coming to an end.
Philippe Coutinho may have left for Barcelona, but in Mohamed Salah, Liverpool boast the most clinical player in the Premier League right now.
Throw in Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Klopp’s side still have plenty to trouble the Citizens’ defence.
What’s more, it appears that Liverpool have developed a knack for the gritty win too.
They hammered Bournemouth 4-0 and Swansea City 5-0 over the festive period, but it’s the win-from-behind versus Leicester City and the 2-1 away success at Burnley that stand out.
The skill, pace and movement have now been aligned with a competent defence and greater tactical nous.
And with Virgil van Dijk onboard, Liverpool are arguably a better balanced side now than at any point this season.
Not only can they trouble City’s defenders, they have a reasonable chance of keeping Sergio Aguero and co quiet too.
Both sides play intense football, and that could benefit the hosts too who have had a match-free week to prepare.
Guardiola’s men are the 11/10 favourites with Coral to win on Sunday.
Liverpool are 2/1, but have arguably the best chance of the season to inflict defeat on the nation’s seemingly unstoppable outfit.
City have lost their last four league trips to Anfield – will that become five on Sunday?
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
