Liverpool vs Manchester City. Premier League.
AnfieldAttendance44,590.
Sunday 1 March 2015 12:18, UK
Manchester City will look to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to two points when they travel to Liverpool on Super Sunday.
With Jose Mourinho's side occupied with the Capital One Cup final, the champions can move to within touching distance of the Blues with victory at Anfield.
City enter the game on the back of another disappointing performance in Europe, having lost 2-1 to Barcelona on Tuesday, and they will be looking for a positive response.
Manuel Pellegrini's side almost saw their bid for a second title derailed on their last trip to Merseyside as Brendan Rodgers' side stormed to victory in April.
Philippe Coutinho's second-half strike edged a pulsating encounter as the Reds moved within reach of a maiden Premier League crown.
Ten months on and Liverpool find themselves ten points behind Sunday's opponents. Yet, while talk of the title may be misplaced, victory on Sunday would see the Reds strengthen their claim for a top-four finish.
Similarly to City, Liverpool enter the tie on the back of European heartache having been dumped out of the Europa League at the hands of Besiktas.
Team news
Liverpool playmaker Coutinho will return to the side having been rested for their Europa League exit in Turkey.
Midfielder Jordan Henderson was also left at home with an ankle problem and that will need to be assessed at the weekend.
Defender Mamadou Sakho has resumed training this week after a hip injury while full-back Glen Johnson could be back after illness meant he missed the trip to Istanbul.
Manchester City have a fully-fit squad for the trip to Anfield. Midfielder Yaya Toure is poised to return after missing Tuesday's Champions League loss to Barcelona through suspension.
Striker Wilfried Bony, who has made two substitute appearances in the past week, could make his first start since his £25million move from Swansea.
Opta facts
Liverpool have won just two of the last 12 Premier League matches against Man City (W2 D6 L4).
Manchester City have scored two or more goals in each of their last six Barclays Premier League games against Liverpool.
Man City have won none of their last 11 Premier League trips to Anfield (W0 D4 L7).
David Silva has scored nine Premier League goals in 2014-15; his best tally in a single Premier League season.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches (W7 D3); the best record of any side over the last 10 games.
Arsenal are the only team to prevent Manchester City from scoring in their last 23 Premier League matches.
Merson's prediction
I am just going for Liverpool here - they have really picked up of late, while Brendan Rodgers has rested a couple of players for the trip to Besiktas in Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson, and for me this game on Sunday is bigger than the Besiktas match.
Getting beaten by Barcelona on Tuesday will have really knocked the stuffing out of City. And I think that Liverpool are at home and are on a right roll at the moment, so I see them winning this game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
Betting
Champions Manchester City travel to Liverpool as 5/4 favourites on Sunday with Sky Bet, despite their poor record at Anfield. Liverpool are 2/1 to win and 5/2 to draw, as both sides look to bounce back from disappointing results in Europe in mid-week. Few could forget last season’s dramatic 3-2 win for Liverpool, and it’s 4/1 for over 4.5 goals again, while another 3-2 win for the hosts is 28/1. Sergio Aguero is the 9/2 favourite to score first, with Daniel Sturridge a marginally bigger price at 5/1.
Coverage of Liverpool v Manchester City starts at 12.00pm on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday.
