Predicted Starting Line-Up: Liverpool vs Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon hoping to end their run of three successive Premier League matches resulting in being on the losing end of the contest.

It was a calamitous evening last time out in the Premier League and across competitions for Manchester City, having lost 0-4 at home to Tottenham last Saturday evening, whilst throwing away a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in European competition three days later.

City dominated certain periods of proceedings against Ange Postecoglou’s side but could not convert any chances, whilst a 3-0 lead in the 75th minute against Feyenoord crumbled before their own eyes as the points were shared on matchday five of the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool is arguably the toughest challenge that could have faced the current Manchester City side in the six-game winless run they find themselves in at present, with Arne Slot’s squad topping both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League tables.

Manchester City’s fitness and injury situation remains relatively unchanged with Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Mateo Kovacic, and John Stones expected to be absent from the Anfield clash, whilst Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku could be in contention for involvement again.

Ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool, here is how we predict Pep Guardiola will line-up his side at Anfield on Sunday afternoon!

Predicted XI

Despite two significant lapses of judgement during the closing exchanges of Manchester City’s clash with Feyenoord on Tuesday night, we don’t expect Pep Guardiola to rotate his goalkeepers as a result and allow Ederson to maintain his place in goal.

Whilst the Manchester City captain has been far from his levels of previous seasons, and his pace seemingly deteriorating in recent battles against Timo Werner and Antoine Semenyo in particular, we believe Kyle Walker could be selected for experience at right-back.

The return of Ruben Dias has been highly-anticipated amongst Manchester City supporters over their last few results, and we believe despite his lack of match action in recent weeks that Pep Guardiola could throw the Portuguese international immediately into his selection.

Alongside him, but stepping into midfield when in possession of the ball, we predict that Manuel Akanji could start for Manchester City this weekend, with support from Nathan Ake filling in at left centre-back when in control, and moving out to left-back out of possession.

Taking the lead defensive midfield position this weekend will be Ilkay Gundogan, with additional support from Bernardo Silva at times, leaving sole creative midfield responsibilities elsewhere.

We think they could be handed to the ever-dependable Kevin De Bruyne in the number 10 role, dictating Manchester City’s creative hopes and looking to offer plenty for the club’s mainstay striker.

Despite some conversation over when his first goal will arrive for the club, we believe Savinho could maintain his place on the right of Manchester City’s front-three and take in one of the most fierce atmospheres in the country for the first time in his English football career.

Erling Haaland will start at striker.

Rounding off our prediction, we believe Phil Foden could be deployed somewhat on the left of the attacking trio to grant De Bruyne more freedom in the centre of the park, but also add much-needed width and open the possibility of left-footed crosses into the penalty area.

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Gundogan, Bernardo, De Bruyne; Savinho, Haaland, Foden.

Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Simpson-Pusey, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, McAtee, Nunes, Grealish, Doku.