Liverpool vs Manchester City : How will City lineup against the Reds?

After a humbling defeat at the hands of PSG, Manchester City are back in the Premier League for another away assignment against Liverpool. Despite an indifferent start to the league campaign,the Citizens have somehow managed to latch on to the second spot in the points table. Hence, on Sunday, the defending champions will aim to pick up all three points from this vital fixture.

Team news for Manchester City

City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ilkay Gundogan will both miss the game on Sunday as the duo is yet to recover from their injuries. Besides Zinchenko and Gundogan, there are no fresh injury concerns in this team.

Guardiola is all praises for Klopp…

Ahead of the game, Guardiola talked about the impact of Klopp and how the Liverpool boss helped him become a ‘better’ manager.The Spaniard said :

"Jurgen Klopp’s teams helped me to be a better manager. He put me on another level; to think about it, to prove myself, to be a better manager. That is the reason why I am still in this business."

An ideal Manchester City XI against Liverpool should look like…

Ederson will keep his place between  the sticks on Sunday and also would look to keep a clean sheet against a strong Liverpool attack. Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte will be slotted as the centre-backs in this City backline. Both defenders will look to keep things tidy at the back after an average outing against PSG.

City’s defensive flanks will see Kyle Walker return in his preferred right-back position. Joao Cancelo will likely keep his spot in this team as the left-back.

Guardiola will not be making any changes in his midfield and hence Rodri will undoubtedly feature as the defensive midfielder. The Spaniard will be accompanied by Kevin De Bruyne on the left side of the midfield. Bernardo Silva will receive a starting place on the right side of the midfield and hence will need to put in another intense shift in the final third.

In the front end of the pitch, Jack Grealish will occupy his left-wing role whereas the right-wing position will be likely be given to Gabriel Jesus. Ferran Torres is in line to start against Liverpool after missing out on a starting place against the Parisians. However, the former Valencia man might have to wait in the wings as Phil Foden could be the first choice for the false nine position at Anfield on Sunday.