Liverpool vs Manchester City

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Manchester City travels to Anfield on Monday to face Liverpool in the highly anticipated match up that could inspire a late run in the Premier League title race. Earlier in the season, Liverpool succumbed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of City. Manchester City are currently in 3rd place, while Liverpool sit 11 points behind City in 6th place. Kenny Dalglish has not lost a game at Anfield while being in charge; nonetheless, City seems to be in fine form coming off a 5-0 win to Sunderland. Liverpool are coming off a 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion and will be without skipper Steven Gerrard for the rest of the season. Furthermore, the last time City and Liverpool met, City won 3-0.
Liverpool:


Liverpool are without captain Steven Gerrard and defenders Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson. To make matters more complicated, Agger limped off in the match against West Brom last Saturday and is out the rest of the season with a knee injury. The previous two matches at Anfield have finished all square. Liverpool may be benefited because they finally have financial stability, which will help stabilize things around the club. A win against City would definitely boost the rest of Liverpool’s season and push them to the all important European qualification. Perhaps new signings Suarez and Carroll will find their chemistry and goals will flow. Liverpool Player to Watch: Suarez.
Manchester City:


Manchester City have 14 clean sheets this season and have only conceded 27 goals. Many would say that City should be sitting at the top of the Premier League after investing millions of pounds on summer signings. Capitano Carlos Tévez, El Apache, scored 2 goals the last time these two teams met and is always a player to watch. David Silva has recently been hailed by boss Mancini, and has become proficient as the “Trequartist”, or playmaker that sits in behind the strikers. Despite a 5-0 win to Sunderland, Manchester City have only won 6 of their 15 games on the road this season. Additionally, City has not won at Anfield since 2003. In order for City to be title contenders as well as hold their Champions League spot, these are the types of games they need to win. City Player to Watch: Silva.
City will be without Micah Richards Jerome Boateng who are both sidelined because of injury. As well, Zabaleta will not be an option because he has returned home to Argentina to see his father who was badly injured in a car accident.
Prediction:


Despite Liverpool playing at home, this will be a very difficult game for Dalglish and his men. City seem to be in fine scoring form after their 5-0 win. The question of whether or not they will continue to struggle away from home still looms. Regardless, this game has the potential to boost either team’s finish to the Premier League campaign and will no doubt be a hard fought encounter. In the end, City has too much quality in the midfield and in going forward. City prevails.
Pick:


Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City
Sources: http://www.wsn.com

Liverpool vs Manchester City