And so here we are. This is about as huge as it gets. In the Premier League, first-place Liverpool and second-place Manchester City meet on Sunday at Anfield.
The only thing that is guaranteed heading into this game is that at least one team will lose ground in the fight for the championship. Currently, only one point separates the two teams.
Naturally, every game is vital as we approach the business end of the season and Jurgen Klopp’s last few weeks as manager. Furthermore, it’s critical to avoid planning too far ahead and to take each one as it comes.
That being said, as cliché as it may sound, some games are just more important than others, and it’s difficult to overstate the impact that a victory here on Sunday could have for Jurgen Klopp’s team as they approach the final ten games of the 2023–24 league season.
Three points here against their biggest rivals would be a huge lift for the Reds amid their injury crisis and need to compete on numerous fronts.
This is how Klopp might set up his team when the champs arrive.
It would have been unimaginable a few weeks ago to face Manchester City in a potential title match without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker.
Though it would certainly be preferable if the two were in shape, Caoimhin Kelleher and Conor Bradley’s recent performances suggest that their absences are no longer an excuse to hide behind the couch.
The two have been outstanding for Liverpool in 2024, contributing significantly to the Reds’ run of three consecutive clean sheets and six consecutive victories.
The Liverpool manager may face challenges in the future trying to fit Bradley and the vice-captain of the Reds into the same lineup because of Bradley’s unexpectedly quick rise to prominence.
If there are no last-minute injury concerns, the two Irish players will be joined by the more experienced Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who will be charged with preventing Erling Haaland from playing. If someone can…
Although Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas have both had strong performances recently, Andy Robertson is most likely to start as the left-back.
Wataru Endo made a major, if subtle, impact off the bench in Liverpool’s dramatic comeback victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday. He should start at the base of midfield after fully recuperating from the blow he took in the Carabao Cup final, and his work ethic will never be more important than when facing the formidable City team.
Another hero from the journey to Nottingham, Alexis Mac Allister, is probably going to be thrust into a more senior role if Endo takes the field.
If Dominik Szoboszlai is not put at risk from the outset in Thursday’s Europa League match, the player who has finally made his comeback may be in line for his first start following his injury.
Although the excellent young Bobby Clark is also a viable possibility off the bench after making his first Premier League start last weekend, Harvey Elliott may feel unlucky not to make the starting lineup.
Ryan Gravenberch might be able to rejoin the matchday squad despite the injury layoffs, which would increase Klopp’s options.
Is he going to? Will he not?
The main uncertainty surrounding City’s visit is Mohamed Salah’s fitness.
Salah is expected to return for this match, based on all the indications and recent cues from the management, and you can bet big money that the Egyptian is making every effort to be included.
If he does make his Liverpool debut—his first since New Year’s Day—the other three spots are up for grabs.
Darwin Nunez’s game-winning cameo demonstrated why he is Klopp’s first-choice No. 9, but Cody Gakpo has played a lot of games recently without really standing out.
Luis Diaz ought to proceed to the left. Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns might be Klopp’s wild cards on the bench.
ESTIMATED LIVERPOOL VS MANCHESTER CITY TO START IN XI
(4-3-3): Salah, Nunez, Diaz; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Kelleher
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