da dobrowin： Liverpool put on a post-Christmas extravaganza during their comprehensive 4-1 victory over Stoke in midweek, but this weekend they face a far greater challenge as they host title rivals Manchester City.
da poker： The game against Stoke saw the Reds keep pace with table-toppers Chelsea, and the Merseysiders will be hoping to keep their charge towards Premier League success on course against a somewhat underwhelming Pep Guardiola side.
City travel to Merseyside on the back of three successive victories – a feat they had not managed since September prior to beating Hull on Boxing Day – and more significantly welcome back Sergio Aguero following his four-game suspension.
In three games against the Citizens during his time on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp has not been beaten by them in normal time, with two victories and a penalty shoot-out loss in the Capital One Cup final to his name. In fact, the Reds won the reverse fixture 3-0 last season, but today’s game is more significant than all before – aside from the League Cup Final, perhaps.
Here is the starting XI Klopp must pick to overcome Guardiola’s City…
GK: Simon Mignolet
The Belgian goalkeeper is deserving of holding his place in the starting XI following some impressive displays since replacing Loris Karius.
In fact, the Reds have won three successive games with Mignolet between the sticks since the German’s poor showing vs. West Ham at the beginning of the month.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne’s performances in recent weeks have been sensational and once again he must be in the XI against Manchester City.
This evening’s opponents are likely to play with a very wide system, and Clyne must not neglect his defensive duties when he attempts to bomb forward and attack City’s shaky defence.
CB: Dejan Lovren
Lovren faces arguably his toughest task of the season as he must attempt to stop Aguero having any significant impact on the match at Anfield.
Aguero will be the focal point of City’s attack and preventing him from scoring will be no easy job.
A faultless performance must be produced by the Croatian defender to boost the Reds’ chances of success against City.
CB: Ragnar Klavan
With Joel Matip missing due to an ankle injury, Klavan should continue at the heart of the Liverpool back four.
Against Everton a fortnight ago the defender silenced Romelu Lukaku and ensured the Belgian forward had little impact on the contest.
Klavan has not put a foot wrong since moving tio England from Augsburg this summer and that must continue against this attack minded City side.
LB: James Milner
Klopp has the decision to make between Milner or Alberto Moreno at left-back.
The Spanish defender could attack City’s defence to a greater extent than Milner, but the former City player adds more defensive security.
Milner, who will almost certainly be picked, must prevent Raheem Sterling from stretching the Reds from wide areas, and this is one battle the team must win to guarantee victory.
CM: Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool skipper has previous against City as in 2015 he scored one of the goals of his career against the Reds’ North West rivals.
Henderson’s intensity and never say die attitude could be a significant factor for his team, but he must contain the energy and dynamism of City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and allow him no space on the ball.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum
The Dutchman’s work often gets overlooked, but the way he has been threading the play together in recent weeks has been a joy to watch.
Maintaining pass completion stats in the upper 80% region, his composure and physicality will be needed against a Man City team that will want to control the tempo of the game.
CM: Adam Lallana
We may only be at the halfway stage of the Premier League season, but surely Lallana could be talked about as a potential player of the year nominee?
The England midfielder has been sensational this season, and if he can get the better of City duo Fernandinho and Yaya Toure, the Reds may overcome the Citizens.
RW: Sadio Mane
Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat is likely to come from forward Mane.
The Senegal player will depart the club for international duty soon, but against City he can leave a lasting memory that will live through his potential six-week absence.
Mane’s pace, directness and ability to score is everything City have struggled to contain this season.
LW: Roberto Firmino
Brazilian forward Firmino would have been forgiven for being sidetracked on Tuesday against Stoke due to some off-field issues, but instead, he managed to inspire Liverpool to victory at Anfield.
The Reds face a different animal when City come to town, but nonetheless, another Firmino goal could be the difference between the two sides.
ST: Divock Origi
With Philippe Coutinho missing due to injury, Origi has become the spearhead of Liverpool’s attack.
The Belgian forward has scored five goals in six games since Coutinho was sidelined against Sunderland, and against City, he must continue his good run.