Manchester City could face a decisive moment in their Premier League title chase as they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday. With Arsenal setting the pace at the top, Pep Guardiola’s side know that anything less than three points could severely dent their hopes of closing the gap.
Liverpool, however, will be far from easy opponents. Despite a recurring issue of conceding first — something that has happened in 12 of their 24 league matches this season — Arne Slot’s side have consistently shown resilience and attacking flair. Last weekend against Newcastle, Anthony Gordon once again exposed their defensive fragility by opening the scoring early, a pattern that continues to worry the Anfield faithful.
While Liverpool’s backline has struggled for consistency, their attacking play has been electric. The partnership between Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous combinations this season. The duo have already combined for six goals, the highest tally by any attacking pair in the league, with Wirtz’s intelligent movement and precise passing perfectly complementing Ekitike’s runs in behind.
Wirtz has been in exceptional creative form, registering seven assists since December 20 — more than any other Premier League player in that period. Ekitike has openly praised the chemistry between the two, describing how effortless it feels to play alongside a midfielder who “smells football” and always finds space.
Guardiola is acutely aware of the threat posed by the Liverpool duo. City’s defensive preparations this week have reportedly focused heavily on containing Wirtz and cutting off supply lines to Ekitike. That task may prove challenging, especially after City’s defensive struggles last weekend, when they surrendered a two-goal lead against Tottenham. New centre-back pairing Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov showed signs of promise but also a lack of chemistry that Liverpool will look to exploit.
Despite boasting one of the strongest squads on paper, City have lacked a certain sharpness this season — a concern Guardiola himself has acknowledged. Up front, Erling Haaland and January signing Antoine Semenyo are still developing their understanding, though Semenyo’s direct running and physicality offer a dangerous edge. Supported by Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki, City’s attack has the potential to overwhelm Liverpool if everything clicks.
For Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai will play a crucial role in balancing defence and attack. While the Hungarian midfielder may prefer a more advanced position, he will be tasked with shielding the backline and organising defenders like Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez. Szoboszlai will also look to drive forward and release long passes into space, particularly targeting Haaland’s movement.
The clash also features two elite goalkeepers. Gianluigi Donnarumma was instrumental in saving City from defeat last weekend, producing a string of outstanding saves, while Alisson’s composure and reliability continue to provide Liverpool with a solid foundation at the back.
Beyond the players, the tactical duel between Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot adds another compelling layer. City are fighting to stay in the title race, while Liverpool are pushing for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. With both teams desperate for points, Anfield is set to host a Premier League classic.
The Manchester City vs Liverpool match kicks off at11:00 PM IST on Sunday, February 8, withStar Sportsproviding live television coverage andJioHotstaroffering live streaming in India.
