Manchester City face Liverpool battle for first place

Manchester City look to maintain their league lead over Liverpool

You could be forgiven if at the start of the year, you believed Manchester City had the Premier League title wrapped up. They looked to be running away with it as they were far ahead the rest of the pack.

Fast forward to mid-April and things are considerably different.

Liverpool has managed to close the gap and head into the Etihad only a point behind Man City. The match could have significant title implications assuming one of these two sides manage to pick up the win.

The last time these two sides met was back in early October in a thriller that ended in a 2-2 draw. Meetings between them always seem to produce entertaining football, or at least provide us with something worth talking about.

With title implications on the line, this one appears to be no different.

Man City head into the match coming off a 1-0 home win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Similarly, Liverpool beat Benfica 3-1 in Portugal.

Despite the anticipation, Pep Guardiola has tried to downplay the importance of the match.

"“It will be a massive three points but there will still be seven games left, Champions League and FA Cup; it’s three points,” Guardiola said.“Come on, let’s try to beat them and do what we can do to beat them.“That’s why I love it and to be here today for Sunday’s game. I sleep like a baby this year. I’m looking forward to Sunday.“It could be tomorrow, that would be better. I’m a little bit upset with the Premier League because they put the game on when Tiger Woods is back!”Source: ESPN"

Guardiola may have golf on his mind while Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, used a tennis analogy to compare the rivalry between the two teams.

"“The last four years we’ve stepped up a bit closer to City. We’ve pushed each other to incredible points tallies, I never thought it would be possible in this league,” Klopp said. “The consistency both teams have shown over the period is crazy.“In sport, I think what helps the most is a strong opponent. In the long term, especially.“I think Nadal and Federer enjoyed the rivalry they had. That’s how it is in sport. I wouldn’t say I’m thankful City is that good, but it didn’t harm our development.”Source: ESPN"

Klopp is correct in that since he arrived, his Liverpool has pushed Man City and vice versa.

The most significant absence for Pep Guardiola will be center back Ruben Dias who, according to the Manchester Evening News, won’t be available.

A draw is certainly in the cards as that’s how it ended the last time out. But a win for City would give them breathing space atop the Premier League. A win for Liverpool would see them take sole possession of first place.

Like their previous encounters, the match will come down to the details.

Liverpool is certainly going to try to take advantage of Dias being out. Guardiola isn’t going to change how his team plays so they’re going to want to take advantage of the space left by the Liverpool defense, especially if they try to play a high line.

The outcome of this one is going to be difficult to predict. They are two clubs with their own philosophy but who are as evenly matched as two sides can be. It’s certain to make for an interesting matchup.