Ian Doyle
Liverpool haven’t often won at the Etihad, but a chance to move 11 points clear at the Premier League summit is a particularly tasty opportunity this afternoon.
What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do? With one eye on Wednesday’s visit of Newcastle United, it might be time for some changes. But not many.
In goal, it’s Alisson Becker. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only fit right-back, while Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk can continue at centre-back for now. But Kostas Tsimikas can come in at left-back.
In midfield, it seems Ryan Gravenberch will never be rested, but I would. So Wataru Endo can have his first Premier League start of the season, with Alexis Mac Allister alongside him. Curtis Jones can shift across to be the number 10.
Up top, hopefully Cody Gakpo is back and he can go on the left. Mohamed Salah is on the right, and let’s have Luis Diaz down the middle to annoy Manchester City’s defenders.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Diaz
Paul Gorst
As the eternal optimist of the ECHO’s Liverpool FC pages, I am going to believe that Cody Gakpo comes through a late fitness test to start at the Etihad.
Should the in-form Netherlands forward make it then I expect Diogo Jota to start ahead of Luis Diaz, even if the Portugal forward might not necessarily make it through the full 90 given he is being carefully managed over fitness concerns.
In midfield, legs appear to be tiring but if they can go to the well once more, the prospect of victory opens up the very real prospect that this will be Liverpool’s year with what will be an 11-point gap over Arsenal.
For that reason, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and the duracell bunny that is Dominik Szoboszlai can dig deep once more. Curtis Jones can wait in the wings and Wataru Endo to shut it down in the second half, if needed.
At the back, it’s as you were. No Conor Bradley means Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to have to play a lot of this one but his passing behind City’s backline could make all the difference.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Jota.
Theo Squires
Liverpool missed out on the chance to go 10 points clear at the top of the table when being held by Aston Villa in midweek. Now able to build an 11-point advantage following Arsenal’s shock loss to West Ham United, they cannot let such an opportunity slip through their fingers again.
Yes, they’ve not been at their best in recent weeks and yes, it’s Man City away. But if you can’t get yourself up for these sorts of occasions, when can you?
It’s an unchanged back five, as we all keep our fingers crossed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is now fully fit and able to come through a full 90 minutes unscathed following the losses of Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez to injury.
Ryan Gravenberch’s standards have slipped in recent outings, but you don’t take him out for this one. Instead, Curtis Jones can be the unfortunate man to drop to the bench with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai continuing in midfield.
Luis Diaz returns on the left-wing while Diogo Jota again leads the line. And although Cody Gakpo remains an injury doubt, fingers crossed he is fit enough to return and make an impact off the bench at the Etihad.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
