Man City head to Liverpool for Anfield showdown
By Sam McGuire
The story of the season
Under Enzo Maresca, Manchester City have a 100% record. They’re five from five in the Premier League, they’re into the next round of the Carabao Cup and they got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start over Porto.
Yes, the Citizens are having off field issues right now, but on the pitch, they just keep on winning. Granted, it hasn’t been the prettiest this term, the fact is it doesn’t have to be. They find themselves three points clear having not really been as convincing as they would’ve liked after spending lavishly during the summer transfer window.
We’ll address the elephant in the room here now as well. City are riding their luck at both ends of the pitch. They’re overperforming their Expected Goals total by 2.5 and they’ve conceded just five goals despite giving up chances with an xG Against total of 7.2. It’s been a case of good finishing by those in blue and poor finishing from those Maresca’s men have come up against.
At some point, that bubble will burst. Is it going to happen at Anfield?
Liverpool, in truth, are due some good fortune in front of goal. The Reds have an xG haul of 8.3 but have just seven goals to their name in the Premier League so far this season. Chances have been missed. Points have been dropped. Despite this, Andoni Iraola’s side are still unbeaten and could finish the weekend just three points behind their opponents.
Over recent weeks, the former Bournemouth boss has made some tweaks to his team and in the process, he’s shored things up. Liverpool conceded four across their opening two matches before keeping three successive clean sheets. A resilient backline coupled with Alexander Isak scoring goals has seen them climb the table.
Key Players
Liverpool have a few injury concerns heading into this game but even if everyone was fit, the key player would remain the same. It’s Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine midfielder has been a revelation this term and looks to have rediscovered his form from the title winning campaign. He leads the way amongst the squad for tackles and he’s been deceptively good in possession. If he’s bossing things in the middle third, the hosts have a foothold in the game and they can use that to build.
For the visitors, there’s only one man and it’s Erling Haaland. The City No. 9 leads the way for goals this season with five and he’s going to want to improve his Anfield record. He has just one goal away to Liverpool, though it was a last minute winner last season.
Team News
Alexander Isak could miss this game with a slight thigh issue sustained while away with Sweden. Manager Graham Potter confirmed the issue, saying: “He’s got a small problem with his thigh. It’s not a big one but because of the amount of games we’ve got in a small space of time, he won’t be able to make those.” It is touch and go whether the No. 9 will be risked. The Reds are already without Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Fede Chiesa.
City, meanwhile, are without the suspended Phil Foden while Nico O’Reilly and Antoine Semenyo are both listed as doubts but could feature on Merseyside this weekend.
Prediction
We’re going with a score draw so goals for boths sides, and about 500 banners and cards held up on the Kop reminding City of their current predicament: Liverpool 1- Man City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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