Big predictions in the big game against Liverpool

Football is a beautiful thing. Not many people believed Liverpool to be in their current position and not many fans thought Haaland would hit the ground running at the start of the season.

A settling-in period or something like that!

This fixture that was earmarked to be an early title decider with the winner likely to be going into the World Cup break on top of the table. A win for City will certainly help continue that while a Liverpool three points may spark their arrival.

As it is one of our biggest fixtures of the season, Man City Square writers make their predictions for the big game.

Who is going to win, and what will the score be?

James Fudge – Two different results within the week and I believe Liverpool may get too overconfident from their seven goals at Rangers. Things will certainly be different.

Man City win for me, in a comeback victory. Predicting either Nunez or Firmino to score the opener but City will dominate the second half. Three goals to take the win to continue our march for the title.

Liverpool 1 – 3 Manchester City

Laura Graves – City will be fuming after the Champions League performance at the weekend and we love a fuming City side – take the knee and tie your boot Kev, it’s on! And Liverpool come out after embarrassing Rangers with a heavy score line and a likely boost to their confidence.

I expect lots of goals, nevertheless. Though every time I predict this, I end up disappointed. Salah and Firmino to score for that lot. Haaland, Foden and Cancelo for the blues.

Liverpool 2 – 3 Manchester City

Who will be starting at left back up against Mo Salah?

JF – Salah will likely be starting on the right, so for me, you need your strongest player up against him. Joao Cancelo is that despite not being his favoured flank, with his attacking threat likely going to push Joe Gomez further back or exploit Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Nathan Ake will be the strongest defensive wise and Sergio Gomez’s defensive abilities not up to the standard to be in the toughest Premier League fixture following his 30-minute showing in Copenhagen.

Manuel Akanji will be at right-back as he continues his good reign of form.

LG – I expect to see Cancelo on the left to exploit either an out of from TAA, or a clunky Gomez. Akanji has been doing an okay job at right-back. Liverpool will look to get into the space behind Cancelo no doubt, but Ake may have this covered as he tends to sit back.

Will Erling Haaland score to continue his consecutive goalscoring form?

JF – Yes. He makes it eight games in a row and shuts up those critics from the Community Shield. The Viking robot will score two, along with Jack Grealish netting the equaliser.

LG – In all likelihood, yes. Will he want to prove a point? Probably. Will that lead to a frustrating game for him? I guess we will find out.

Any other notable match developments? 

JF – Safe to say, there will be some VAR controversy with a 50-50 penalty not given. I’m hoping that it doesn’t involve a hand to further confuse us football fans. I’m also predicting a red card in the closing ten minutes, not sure for which side.

LG – Well. Blues. We know that history tells us that all decisions are likely to go their way. Probably a dodgy penalty given against City. Another one ruled out in favour of Liverpool. A clear red for Gomez ignored 2 or 3 times.

What excuse could Klopp give following another defeat?

JF – Didi Hamman will bear the brunt of it, I’m sure. How dare a former footballer give his opinion!!

LG – Assuming it does end in defeat for them…. who even knows anymore? Haaland is a robot.

We will now see whether these predictions can come true, but it is all a bit of fun. We want to hear your predictions whether on social media or in the comments below.