Belgian midfielder back in training following muscular injury
Manchester City vs Liverpool
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 8.00pm, Thursday 3rd January 2019
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Anthony TaylorAssistants: G Beswick, A Nunn Fourth Official: M Atkinson
Odds: City evens, Draw 5/2, Liverpool 13/5
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Grimshaw, Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Otamendi, Stones, Walker, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus
Injured: Bravo, Mendy, Mangala,
Doubtful: De Bruyne
Suspended: Delph
Form guide: WDLLW
Liverpool
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
Squad (from): Alisson, Mignolet, Grabara, Clyne, van Dijk, Lovren, Moreno, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Henderson, Lallana, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Sturridge, Shaqiri, Origi
Injured: Matip, Gomez, Solanke, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Doubtful: Milner
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWWWW
Kevin De Bruyne could be available again after missing the victory at Southampton with a muscle problem. Pep Guardiola said in his press conference that the Belgian midfielder was "much better", but that he would face a fitness test before the game. Fabian Delph serves the second game of a three match ban, which could see Danilo fill in at left back.
Liverpool enjoy a seven point lead at the top of the table, and a defeat for the Blues could be a decisive blow in the title race but Guardiola struck a defiant note ahead of the game.
“Our reality is clear,” Guardiola said. “We are seven points down. It is the second round of games and I have a feeling there is a big opportunity for us to reduce the gap.
“People are asking what we will do if we lose but we are going to try to win the game, be there and have a chance to fight for the Premier League.”
City's last home league game against Liverpool ended in a 5-0 victory, with Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus (2) and Leroy Sane (2) netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 46 of the 181 games played against Liverpool, with 46 draws and 89 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Danilo, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva, Sterling, Sane, Aguero
Score prediction: Manchester City 2 Liverpool 2