Liverpool vs Manchester City preview: Mendy and De Bruyne train ahead of Anfield clash

By Ric Turner, Fri 05 October 2018 16:08


Liverpool vs Manchester City preview: Mendy and De Bruyne train ahead of Anfield clashDelph ruled out with injury, whilst Gundogan faces late fitness test

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 4.30pm, Sunday 7th October 2018

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

Referee: Martin Atkinson Assistants: A Child, L Betts Fourth Official: S Atwell

Odds: Liverpool 8/5, Draw 27/10, City 15/8

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Grimshaw, Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Mendy, Otamendi, Stones, Walker, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus

Injured: Bravo, Mangala, Delph

Doubtful: Gundogan, De Bruyne

Suspended: None

Form guide: LWWWW

Liverpool

Manager: Jurgen Klopp

Squad (from): Alisson, Mignolet, Grabara, Clyne, van Dijk, Lovren, Gomez, Moreno, Robertson, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Henderson, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Sturridge, Shaqiri, Solanke

Injured: Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain

Doubtful: Keita

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWLDL

Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy are in contention to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Both players trained at the CFA today, and Pep Guardiola refused to rule out the possibility that either player could be involved at the weekend. Fabian Delph has, however, been ruled out whilst Ilkay Gundogan will face a late fitness test.

The Blues lost three of the four games played against Jurgen Klopp's side last season, but Guardiola played down the significance of that stat.

"Every game is completely different. In the first Champions League game we made a good performance except at the end of the first half.

"At home we made very good game as well. It doesn’t matter that we lost. Since Jurgen took over he has a lot of weapons to attack on the counter and in set pieces and they take advantage of mistakes. 

"They are so good at making a real attack and the three guys in front connect very well. They are a top side and reached the Champions League final."

City's last away league game at Anfield ended in a 4-3 defeat, with Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva neeting for the Blues. Overall City have won 46 of the 180 games played against Liverpool, with 45 draws and 89 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Fernandinho, D Silva, B Silva, Sterling, Sane, Aguero

Score prediction: Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2