The worldwide break is lastly over, and Liverpool’s return doesn’t get a lot greater than this, with a visit to Man Metropolis and an opportunity to finish an extended overdue look ahead to an Etihad win.
Man Metropolis vs. Liverpool
Premier League (13) | Etihad Stadium
November 25, 2023 | 12.30pm (GMT)
Jurgen Klopp‘s squad have been unfold the world over for the final fortnight, and whereas preparation time for his or her league return is restricted, they won’t want any motivation for this conflict.
The Reds needed to win their final match towards Brentford and did simply that, however that is the largest take a look at thus far for Klopp’s new-look aspect.
Listed here are 10 key issues to know forward of the Reds’ journey to the blue aspect of Manchester.
1. First meets second
We’ve got been right here earlier than, as only one level separates the 2 groups in first and second.
They’re evenly matched all through the league marketing campaign thus far, however apparently Liverpool have a greater defensive report than Metropolis, having conceded 10 in comparison with their 12.
Liverpool know the significance of taking factors off Metropolis when the chance comes round, and this time isn’t any totally different – they can’t depend on others doing the job for them.
Some would snap your hand off for a draw, however let’s think about what a win may imply…
2. They’re not all going to overlook out, are they?
The worldwide break introduced information of 1 participant withdrawing from worldwide obligation after one other, leaving Metropolis with eight ‘damage’ doubts within the lead as much as the Reds’ go to.
Ederson, Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes all left their nationwide groups, whereas each Rodri and Erling Haaland missed a match for his or her nation.
After all, followers are skeptical over their accidents because the information was greater than handy in mild of Liverpool’s upcoming go to.
Solely time will inform concerning their involvement with a handful already again in coaching, however we do anticipate to see no less than Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Sergio Gomez miss out.
3. The return of the injured Reds
Klopp was with out eight first-team gamers for the win over Brentford previous to the break, however he has been handed a lift for the quick journey down the M62.
Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are up for choice after minor points previous to the break, and Alexis Mac Allister will return from suspension.
It leaves Andy Robertson, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic on the damage checklist, all of whom will not be anticipated again till 2024.
4. Awful Etihad report, 1 in 15 years!
We’ve got to roll again the clock to 2015 for the final time Liverpool beat Man Metropolis on house soil within the Premier League – the bottom actually feels cursed for us.
There was the 11mm goal-line clearance, that Adam Lallana miss and depraved deflections within the time since, the chances at all times really feel stacked towards us.
The one league victory within the final 15 years doesn’t make for good studying, and the image doesn’t change all that a lot throughout all competitions because it’s three wins of their final 15.
So as to add to the problem, Metropolis haven’t misplaced on the Etihad in over a 12 months – Brentford had been the final workforce to inflict defeat in November 2022.
5. But one other 12.30 begin
Three worldwide breaks, three 12.30pm kickoffs for Liverpool after every one – you’ll be able to see why Klopp has been annoyed!
There’s little to no preparation time for what’s one in every of, if not the largest fixture within the Premier League calendar and it left the supervisor saying, “the folks making the selections, they can’t really feel soccer, it’s simply not attainable.”
The match is to be proven stay on Sky Sports activities and so they needed it within the 5.30pm slot, however they weren’t given permission by the ‘native security advisory group’ after earlier incidents throughout the fixture.
Liverpool are two wins from two at 12.30 this season, think about the scenes in the event that they make it three.
6. Time for Salah’s massive milestone?
Mohamed Salah wants simply two extra objectives to achieve 200 for Liverpool, a tally solely 4 different gamers in membership historical past have reached.
The Egyptian has 198 strikes in 322 appearances heading into this fixture, and he has scored towards Metropolis 11 occasions earlier, so don’t rule him out of reaching a double century on Saturday!
Salah has been in unbelievable goalscoring type this season, he has eight in his final eight outings for Liverpool and there could be nothing higher than seeing his arms aloft on the Etihad.
7. Does Nunez begin?
Three objectives and three assists throughout his final eight outings for Liverpool, plus three objectives with Uruguay throughout the break, make for a assured Darwin Nunez heading into this conflict.
Beforehand, one would have anticipated Klopp to show to Cody Gakpo up entrance however you’re feeling the chaos and vitality of Nunez can exploit Metropolis’s defence and discover pleasure.
Diogo Jota, after simply 90 minutes with Portugal, is contemporary for the left wing, however the supervisor faces a choice in each division with an intense 90 minutes to think about.
Listed here are simply a number of the choices he might want to contemplate: Tsimikas or Gomez? Konate or Matip?Jones or Gravenberch? And Diaz or Jota?
Predicted Reds XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Jota, Nunez
8. Guardiola vs. Klopp for the twenty ninth time
That is the twenty ninth assembly between Guardiola and Klopp, probably the most every have confronted towards some other manger – and so they each maintain information towards each other.
Nobody has beat a Guardiola aspect greater than Klopp (12), and nobody has notched extra victories towards Klopp than Guardiola (11).
Since they’ve each been in England, the report stands at eight wins for Liverpool and 7 for Metropolis, plus an additional 5 attracts.
9. A very good report with this ref
It’s tough today to not have had a run in with a specific referee, however the Reds have report when Chris Kavanagh takes cost.
He could also be from Larger Manchester, however the 15 occasions he has overseen Liverpool we’ve received 13 and misplaced simply two – and, the truth is, the Reds have received their final six with him because the referee. Let’s hope that continues!
The VAR on Saturday is Stuart Attwell.
10. The right way to watch Metropolis vs. Liverpool stay!
Man Metropolis vs. Liverpool will probably be proven stay within the UK on Sky Sports activities Important Occasion and Sky Sports activities Premier League, protection begins at 11am (GMT) forward of the 12.30pm kick-off.
As ever, in the event you fancy some biased commentary then be part of us for our matchday stay weblog from 11.45am, Sam Millne is on the helm and can preserve you up to date and entertained all through.
The nerves are already constructing. Into these, Reds!
