Manchester City will take on Liverpool in a much-awaited fixture today in the Premier League, and the manager Pep Guardiola has named his starting lineup for the match. The most significant change is, of course, that top scorer Erling Haaland is unavailable due to a groin injury he sustained during the FA Cup quarterfinal win over Burnley.
Alvarez to Play in Central Striking Position
Julian Alvarez, who joined the squad last summer, will replace Haaland in the central striking position. Guardiola is hoping that the Argentine striker will make an immediate impact on this crucial game.
Six Changes to City Team
There are six changes to the City team from their last game. Phil Foden is out due to surgery, while Haaland is injured. In their place, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan will start in midfield.
Guardiola’s Preferred Back Four Lineup
Guardiola has settled on his preferred back four lineup. Ederson will be protected by a back four of John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, and Nathan Ake.
Mahrez and Grealish on the Wings
On the wings, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish will be tasked with supplying Alvarez through the middle.
Match Stats
Previous encounters between Manchester City and Liverpool have always been exciting affairs. Liverpool leads with 107 wins over Manchester City’s 56 (52 draws). This season has been relatively even between both teams. Manchester City is currently second in the table with 44 points while Liverpool occupies fourth place with 38 points.
Liverpool Squad Updates
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Luis Diaz, Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita will all miss today’s match. Darwin Nunez should be fit to feature in the game, however. Winger Diaz is back in training but not ready to make a comeback. Midfielder Thiago is still sidelined by a hip problem while Keita is out due to his injury-prone season.
Klopp’s Plan
Klopp has stated that Liverpool’s plans will not change much if City’s top scorer Erling Haaland is not fit as they will focus on stopping the supply lines to Pep Guardiola’s forwards. Klopp noted Alvarez as a top striker if Haaland doesn’t play.
Both Manchester City and Liverpool will come into this match looking for vital points as they aim for different targets. A victory for Manchester City could help them move within five points of Arsenal, the current league leaders, while Liverpool will look to bounce back from a defeat against Bournemouth in their last game.
Follow Manchester City vs. Liverpool with our dedicated live blog. The kick-off time is 12.30 PM (7.30 AM EDT, 4.30 AM PDT).
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
