10 key things to know ahead of Man City vs. Liverpool - Liverpool FC

Liverpool resume their hunt for a top-four end with a troublesome fixture in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League.

Man Metropolis vs. Liverpool

Premier League (27) | Etihad Stadium
April 1, 2023 | 12.30pm (BST)

It has been some time since Liverpool’s disappointing defeat at Bournemouth, however with acquainted faces again in coaching, the Reds can be hoping to lastly achieve some consistency on this last quarter of the season.

With Newcastle and Man United enjoying one another on Sunday, no less than one will drop factors, so three factors for Liverpool would make the desk look loads kinder on the finish of the weekend.

Listed here are 10 issues it is advisable know forward of an enormous match for the Redmen.

1. Will Haaland play?

The Norwegian missed his nation’s Euro 2024 qualifiers in opposition to Spain and Georgia with a reported groin harm and is but to be pictured in coaching previous to the match in opposition to Liverpool.

The striker as a substitute returned from worldwide obligation early after which headed to Spain for therapy.

Nevertheless, it’s totally attainable that Erling Haaland will play, and that Pep Guardiola is simply maintaining his playing cards near his chest.

In his press convention on Friday, his supervisor stated: “Erling is recovering. We’ll see this afternoon. The final coaching is at 4pm and we are going to see how he feels.”

In any case, Man Metropolis haven’t carried out too badly with out him over the previous few years.

Phil Foden, in the meantime, was dominated out earlier within the week after present process appendix surgical procedure.

Potential Metropolis XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish

2. A troublesome place to go

They’ve been unfortunate a few occasions however Liverpool’s Champions League victory, on the Etihad in 2018, stays their final win away in opposition to Man Metropolis.

From the 5 video games performed at Metropolis’s floor since then, Liverpool have taken simply two factors, nevertheless, their fortunes at Anfield have been very totally different.

In matches not on the Etihad, Liverpool have a a lot better file and upset the chances, earlier this season, to beat Guardiola’s crew at Anfield.

3. Diaz again within the body

Luis Diaz hasn’t been seen in Liverpool crimson for practically six months, however the Colombian not far off a return now.

After coaching with the crew this week, he has edged nearer to a comeback, nevertheless, it could be clever for Jurgen Klopp to ease him again in after his preliminary restoration was delayed when he required knee surgical procedure throughout the World Cup.

Sadly, he isn’t to make the squad for the Man Metropolis match, however he might characteristic within the coming weeks.

“Luis is again in small elements of coaching after a really very long time out.

“Subsequent week we are going to enhance that [intensity] after which he’s prepared, I feel. We now have to guage him every single day how he offers with the depth, it seems to be actually promising,” Klopp stated.

4. Key stats for you

Ought to Mo Salah rating he’ll grow to be the Reds’ main scorer away from house within the Premier League period. He’s presently on 55 objectives, alongside Michael Owen

Salah might grow to be the primary Liverpool participant in historical past to attain in opposition to Man Metropolis in 4 video games in the identical season, having already netted within the Neighborhood Protect, Premier League and League Cup

By no means earlier than have the groups drawn three successive league video games in Manchester

5. Sticking with Gakpo?

The Dutchman missed the primary a part of the worldwide break with sickness however did play 45 minutes in opposition to Gibraltar on Monday, changing the former-Liverpool participant, Gini Wijnaldum, at halftime.

With Diaz again within the image and Diogo Jota persevering with to regain his match health, Cody Gakpo‘s spot within the beginning XI could come underneath menace.

Count on Klopp to stay with the January signing in opposition to Man Metropolis, although, as too Darwin Nunez after a reduce to his ankle that pressured his withdrawal from worldwide obligation.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Elliott; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

6. No Naby once more

Liverpool’s already-depleted midfield suffered one other blow this week as Naby Keita returned from worldwide obligation with an harm situation.

Klopp confirmed the reviews earlier than the weekend’s match in Manchester, saying: “Naby is out. He got here again with a muscle harm from the nationwide crew.

“We’ll see how lengthy it takes however the season will not be too lengthy.”

Promisingly, although, Klopp is hopeful of seeing Thiago return to “elements” of crew coaching subsequent week after lacking the final eight video games with a hip harm.

7. “Like a Champions League week”

The subsequent few fixtures are among the many trickiest {that a} Premier League membership can face.

Within the subsequent week alone, Liverpool play Man Metropolis, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and table-toppers Arsenal at Anfield – a run Klopp described as being “like a Champions League week.”

They’re simply the primary three video games in a month of seven fixtures, from which the Reds might want to take no less than 15 of the 21 factors on provide if they’re to realistically have any probability of qualifying for subsequent season’s Champions League.

Liverpool are presently seven factors behind Tottenham in fourth however have two video games in hand on the North London membership.

8. Again after a break

Seventeen days have handed since Liverpool fell to a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth.

As soon as once more, the Reds been given the Saturday lunchtime kick-off following a world break.

It’s the sixth time already this season that Liverpool have performed within the 12.30pm slot – essentially the most within the league together with Saturday’s opponents.

Klopp’s aspect haven’t gained any of their early kick-offs up to now, shedding two and drawing three – 4 of these 5 matches have been away from house.

Now wouldn’t be a nasty time to get the primary, Reds!