Premier League: Time for the Top Two to Resume Combat

Liverpool vs Manchester City

The top two sides in the Premier League, the ones who took the title race to the final minutes in such dramatic fashion last term, are set to go head-to-head on Sunday.

Liverpool meet Manchester City at Anfield in a clash of two teams who have formed the top two in the top flight for three of the past four seasons.

Another top-quality encounter surely beckons but, on this occasion, all the pressure is on one team and one team only.

Talking Points

That is because last season’s runners-up trail the champions by 13 points (with a game in hand) which, even at this stage of the season, needs to be closed if the Merseysiders are to mount a title challenge.

In the build-up to the game, home manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed his side cannot compete financially with City because Gulf state-owned clubs “can do what they want”, despite financial fair play rules.

Perhaps the German is right. In fact, he probably is.

Yet to come out with those comments on the eve of the game is either an attempt to get under the skin of their opponents or, more likely, a sign that Klopp cuts an agitated figure.

Agitated at the fact he and his team have not delivered so far this term; agitated at the fact that in a summer where he has spent big – a potential club-record £85 million deal for striker Darwin Núñez is more than £30 million more than City parted with for the phenomenal young talent Erling Braut Haaland – and are failing to keep onto the coat tails of the country’s number one team after finishing within a point of them five months ago.

While Haaland and City have been delivering Premier League highlights most weeks, Liverpool have been showing a vulnerability and been found wanting tactically.

That has, in part at least, probably prompted Klopp’s comments and Sunday offers the opportunity for him to restore some confidence on the biggest stage.

He will certainly expect better from a squad which has as much depth, if not more, on paper than the champions.

This weekend, left back Andy Robertson could make his first league appearance for six weeks, while there could also be a place in the squad for young midfielder Curtis Jones who hasn’t played since the Community Shield victory over City in July because of shin splints.

Luis Diaz, Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out after leaving the fray during last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at early pacesetters Arsenal.

City also have their own absentees, most notably in defence where they are without John Stones because of a hamstring injury, while fellow England men Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips are recovering from surgery.

Both leagues games between these sides ended 2-2 last season and, with the best two squads in the country to otherwise select from, it is just as close to call again.

History

Overall, Liverpool have won 107 of their clashes with 58 City successes and 56 draws.

Last term in this fixture, Liverpool led twice through Sadio Mane and Mo Salah but Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne hit back quickly on each occasion.

The quality of the game and the goals was just as evident in the return at the Etihad Stadium in April where De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus were the City marksmen.

This time it was Liverpool’s turn to fight back with goals from Diogo Jota and Mane.

City have only won twice at Anfield in the last 20 years and one of those occasions was in February 2021 when they showed true title pedigree – with a helping hand from goalkeeper Alisson.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds edge towards the champions with bets on them including 1X2 @ 1.89 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.16.

A Liverpool success will be attractive to many punters who will likely consider 1X2 draw @ 3.55 or Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.04.

How about a third successive draw which is on offer @ 3.85.

A third successive 2-2 draw in the league is also available with Correct Score @ 11.00.

I can’t think of the last time these sides played out a goalless draw – actually I do remember a 0-0 contest in December 2007 – but nothing since then and I don’t expect one this weekend either.

Having looked at an array of options, including over 3.50 goals @ 2.14, total goal 4-6 @ 2.39 and total goal 2-3 @ 2.14, I am going to opt for the latter as my *** prediction.

 

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