The biggest game of the Premier League season is finally upon us asMan Citytravel toLiverpool.
It looks set to be a tense and thrilling encounter which will likely have massive ramifications for the rest of the title race.
The Blues can’t really afford to lose as they will fall nine points behind the league leaders if they do, but a win would cut the deficit to just three points going into the busiest time of the season.
It won ‘ t be easy, however, as City haven’t won at Anfield in thePremier Leaguesince 2003 and they will be wi thout several key players.
Captain David Silva, Rodri, Aleks Zinchenko, Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte are all on the guidelines and goalkeeperEdersonis also set to miss out after he was withdrawn at half-time against Atalanta on Wednesday.
Follow below for LIVE updates and early team news from Anfield ahead of kick- off.
5 ‘ – LFC 1-0 MCFCKEY EVENT
Liverpool take the lead
City players are convinced the ball hits a Liverpool hand but the referee waves play on instantly.
Liverpool go up the other end and Fabinho rockets in from the edge of
There’s a slight wait for VAR, but the goal is given.
4 ‘- LFC 0-0 MCFC
Free header for Stones
John Stones can’t make any decent contact with a corn er when he could have done better.
3 ‘- LFC 0-0 MCFC
Home fans up for it
Liverpool fans are already up for this.
They’re whistling City in possession – particularly Raheem Sterling – and cheering any mistake from the away side.
But it’s City who have started more confidently and they have a free kick as Bernardo draws a foul on the right.
1 ‘ – LFC 0-0 MCFC
City corner
Early City possession down the right earns City a corner.
It comes to nothing, and Kevin de Bruyne misc ontrols as the second ball comes back to him.
1 ‘- LFC 0-0 MCFC
Off we go
City, in their home sky blue shirts and white shorts, get us underway at Anfield. They’re kicking towards the Kop in the first half.
Blue Moon vs YNWA
It’s a televised Liverpool game, so naturally Sky Sports are silent as You ‘
You could hear a fine rendition of Blue Moon before the scarfs went up in the Kop, too. (ll Never Walk Alone is sung around Anfield.
We’ll now have a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday b efore kick off.
Pre-match thoughts from the manager
In the tunnel
City are waiting in the tunnel under a wall displaying the words: “The Walk of Champions . ”
Liverpool may have the European Cup, but it is City who have won the Premier League for the last two seasons – and that is the trophy Liverpool crave most of all.
So far this season, it is today’s hosts who look better placed to lift that particular trophy at the end of the season .
Today could go a long way to seeing who has the momentum going into the busy winter period.
The teams walk out to a packed Anfield.
View from the away end
Let’s hope it’s the City faithful making all the noise around Anfield today.
Mourinho vs Kompany
Top banter from Jose Mourinho here, possibly referring tothis interview
Stuart Brennan
Angelino vs Salah
That Angelino decision gets bigger the more you look at it.
One of the reasons he was allowed to leave City in the first place was because of doubts about his defensive abilities. He made his name in the youth team as a very good attacking left back, who could invert into midfield, and both made and scored goals.
When he faced his first real defensive test, against Chelsea in the 2015 FA Youth Cup final, he was taken apart by Tammy Abraham.
Today, in his first Premier League start, he faces Mo Salah, and will also have Trent Alexander-Arnold pushing int his territory. It’s a big ask.
Tyrone Marshall
How Bravo will change the dynamic of today’s game
The spotlight will be on Claudio Bravo today, starting a first Premier League game since May 2018
At the moment he’s going through a few kicking drills out on the Anfield pitch, knocking a ball out short before sending his next kick long towards the halfway line.
That’s one area where he doesn’t offer the same kind of threat as Ederson.
Liverpool know those enormous goal kicks won’t be coming towards their penalty area, perhaps allowing them to push up an extra (yards.)
Guardiola explains Rodri and Silva inclusions
Guardiola has spoken to Sky Sports:
“Rodri felt good in the last few days. He felt okay in the last two training sessions and we decide to select him. We didn’t want to play both [David Silva] when they both are recovering from injury ”
(Image: Getty Images)
Tyrone Marshall
Missing: Pre-match atmosphere
City were the first team out to warm-up at Anfield with a smattering of boos from what remains a sparsely populated stadium at the moment.
Liverpool followed around five minutes later and the greeting was a little louder from the hosts.
At the moment the Kop is barely 10% full and any ideas of generating a pre-match atmosphere are yet to be seen.
Fans react to Rodri and David Silva team news
Manchester City fans feel the momentum is with their side after Pep Guardiola named Rodri and David Silva in his matchday squad to face Liverpool on Sunday.
City traveled to Anfield knowing a win would take them to within three points of their title rivals, but Guardiola had previously indicated that Rodri and Silva would be absent until after the international break.
But the duo have returned to the bench at Anfield, providing Guardiola a major boost in a crucial game between the top two sides in the Premier League.
Full story: Why Mendy isn’t in City squad
Video: City arrive for today’s game
In the zone
David Silva has recovered from inju
Phil Foden could feature off the bench.
Fernandinho continues in defense.
How Liverpool fans welcomed City
It’s always a big game when City are in town.
Mendy omitted for tactical reasons
A huge call from Guardiola here.
Stuart Brennan
Mendy blow
With all the worry about Ederson, Rodri and the rest, the fact that Benjamin Mendy is not involved – and Angelino starts – is perhaps an even bigger
The Spaniard is a decent attacking left back, but his problem, when he was at City, and again at PSV Eindhoven, was that he struggles defensively.
The fact he will be up against Mo Salah is enough to give the most optimistic Blues fan kittens.
Rod ri starts, and David Silva is on the bench, while John Stones and Fernandinho are at center back.
Liverpool team
Full strength. Plus Dejan Lovren.
KEY EVENT
TEAM NEWS: Rodri returns but Mendy out
Stuart Brennan
Boost for the blues
The sight of Rodri and David Silva arriving at Anfield with the matchday squad is a huge boost for the Blues.
Having their only true defensive midfielder available – and, apparently, starting – gives them a more solid look, especially as Fernandinho is needed at center back.
Last year goalless draw at Anfield was based on Bernardo Silva’s deeper role alongside Fernandinho, and now he has another anchor.
Rodri gave a hint he was closing on fitness by showing up for the team meeting at open training ahead of the midweek Champions League game at Atalanta – there was no sign of Silva, but he is tracksuited today.
No Ederson after all
After all that, it seems Ederson has not traveled today.
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