Liverpool and Manchester City will renew their Premier League rivalry in a potentially explosive encounter, with both sides seeking to strengthen their positions in the title race.
The match comes amid controversy surrounding City’s alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, with the club facing 114 charges and having appealed the verdict.
Liverpool supporters will be eager to see their side take advantage of the situation, particularly after finishing behind City in the title race on several occasions in recent years.
The Reds have won four of their last five matches, drawing the other, but have been unable to win their two home league games this season.
Liverpool will also be looking to avoid an unwanted record, having failed to win their opening three home league fixtures in a season only twice in the last century.
City, meanwhile, have made a perfect start to the campaign, winning all five of their league matches.
Manager Enzo Maresca will be hoping to extend that run and become only the fourth manager to win his first six matches in charge of a club in the Premier League.
City have also been impressive away from home, losing only once in their last 11 matches on the road, recording seven wins and three draws.
The champions defeated Liverpool three times last season, including a league double over the Reds, their first successive league victories against Liverpool since 1937.
Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai will be one to watch after scoring a stunning free-kick against City in this fixture last season. Six of his last eight club goals have come at Anfield.
City’s Antoine Semenyo could also pose a threat, having scored three goals at Anfield while playing for Bournemouth under former manager Andoni Iraola.
Semenyo has also scored the opening goal in six of his last eight scoring appearances.
Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, who picked up injuries while on international duty.
City are monitoring Nico O’Reilly after he withdrew from the England squad, while Phil Foden remains suspended.
Statistics suggest another closely contested encounter, with only one of Liverpool’s last six league matches decided by a margin of more than one goal.
The Reds have also conceded at least two goals in only one of their last eight domestic home matches.
City, however, have won the corner count in seven of their last nine games, while six of their last eight domestic matches have produced more than 2.5 goals.
With Liverpool seeking a statement victory and City determined to maintain their perfect league record, the encounter promises to be another major test of their title ambitions.
