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Premier League leaders Liverpool host arch-rivals Manchester Metropolis at Anfield on Sunday in what could possibly be a title-defining conflict in doubtlessly the ultimate showdown between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.
Liverpool, who’ve recorded straight wins in all competitions, are one level away from The Residents on the summit and may additional strengthen their grip on the title with victory as they bid to provide Klopp the right farewell.
However they face a relentless Metropolis facet who’ve recorded 18 wins of their final 20 and exhibiting no indicators of flagging. Guardiola’s facet can be emboldened by the absences of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota, with Jack Grealish the one actual doubt for the guests following a recurrence of a groin challenge.
Traditionally, the Manchester facet battle on Merseyside. They’ve solely earned one win at Anfield since 2003, which got here behind closed doorways in 2021.
The final dance between two acquainted foes guarantees to be a blockbuster affair as Metropolis search to spoil the get together and reclaim the ascendancy. Forward of Sunday’s showdown, that is Mail Sport’s mixed XI.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will meet for the ultimate time earlier than the Liverpool supervisor’s exit
Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool drew 1-1 on the Etihad in November of their most up-to-date assembly
What number of gamers will make the ultimate group from each side forward of the titanic tussle at Anfield?
GOALKEEPER – EDERSON
A comparatively easy choose given the absence of his Liverpool counterpart Alisson.
A commanding presence within the field, the Brazilian has saved eight clear sheets within the league – the second most within the division.
His quarterback-like distribution – Metropolis’s secret weapon – might trigger issues for Liverpool’s rearguard.
RIGHT BACK – KYLE WALKER
The 33-year-old was awarded the membership captaincy in the summertime following Ilkay Gundogan’s departure and has taken the position in his stride.
No Metropolis participant has recorded extra sprints than his 501.
Like a nice wine.
Kyle Walker has taken on the membership captaincy and stays arguably the strongest proper again within the division
CENTRE BACK – VIRGIL VAN DIJK
Colossus would not do Liverpool’s Dutchman justice.
A formidable determine in Liverpool’s fortification, the membership captain has received extra aerial duels than some other participant within the division and could be thought-about a frontrunner for Participant of the Season if the Reds win the title.
The 32-year-old additionally has a penchant for locating the again of the online. Since 2018-19 he has scored 18 league targets, 4 greater than the following defender.
Calm as you want.
Captain Virgil van Dijk has been a commanding presence in defence for Liverpool this season
John Stones has thrived in a extra superior position after a tactical tweak by Guardiola
CENTRE BACK – JOHN STONES
Historically a centre-back, the England man has seen his position tweaked by Guardiola over the previous yr, working in a extra superior position entering into midfield.
‘I feel we’re watching one thing that I’ve by no means seen in English soccer earlier than,’ Jamie Carragher mentioned following his efficiency towards Manchester United.
Stones emanates equanimity on the ball however can be astute off it. Enjoying additional up the sphere, his motion permits elevated area for Metropolis’s attackers.
LEFT BACK – JOE GOMEZ
The place would Liverpool be with out Gomez this season? Not difficult on all 4 fronts, that is for certain.
His versatility is a supervisor’s dream. This season he has made 18 appearances at right-back, 14 at left again, 4 at centre again and two in holding midfield, navigating a depleted Liverpool squad out of a possible disaster.
England supervisor Gareth Southgate will doubtless be in attendance on Sunday forward of the upcoming worldwide break because the defender bids to obtain his first call-up to the nationwide group since 2020.
MIDFIELD – RODRI
The tenacious midfielder is Guardiola’s lynchpin.
It has been 59 video games for the reason that Spaniard final suffered defeat in a Metropolis shirt. Almost 400 days. Thiago was nonetheless enjoying soccer again then.
No midfielder within the league has accomplished extra progressive carries, extra passes and brought extra touches than Metropolis’s commander-in-chief.
Metronome.
Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne have continued to star in Man Metropolis’s stellar midfield this season
MIDFIELD – KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Klopp joked the nation could be ‘shaking’ forward of the Belgian’s return to soccer following a five-month spell on the sidelines with a hamstring harm.
And the German was proper.
De Bruyne has claimed 13 purpose contributions in 11 appearances since returning. As you had been, then.
Metropolis’s virtuoso has a formidable document towards The Reds, netting three targets in his final 4 towards Sunday’s opponents.
Maestro.
MIDFIELD – ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER
Arguably the signing of the season since becoming a member of from Brighton for £35m in June.
Hailed as a ‘soccer physician’ by his supervisor, the World Cup-winner has slotted seamlessly into Liverpool’s new-look midfield.
‘He is an excellent participant each win and with out the ball,’ Van Dijk mentioned on his affect.
‘He is made such an enormous distinction to the best way we play in a optimistic sense.’
Alexis Mac Allister is a contender for signing of the season for his shows within the Reds’ midfield
RIGHT WING – MOHAMED SALAH
Nobody enjoys enjoying Metropolis greater than Salah.
The Egyptian winger has accrued 17 purpose contributions towards the Residents in 20 video games and has struck 5 occasions of their final six visits to Anfield.
Solely Ian Rush has scored extra occasions for Liverpool with 15, than Salah’s 11 towards Man Metropolis.
When it comes to purpose contributions per 90, he averages the best within the division with 1.21.
The 31-year-old has not began a sport for the reason that 4-2 victory over Newcastle on New Yr’s Day however is about to be in rivalry for Sunday pending any additional setbacks.
Mohamed Salah has a formidable document towards Man Metropolis with 11 targets in 20 matches
LEFT WING – PHIL FODEN
Guardiola mentioned final week Foden is one of the best participant within the league proper now – and the numbers recommend he could also be proper.
Solely Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins have scored extra non-penalty targets in all competitions this season. Walker has bestowed him with the moniker ‘sniper’.
The England winger has discovered the again of the online twice in his final three visits to Anfield.
Guardiola hailed Phil Foden has one of the best participant within the league after the Manchester Derby
Erling Haaland leads the road regardless of the current spectacular type of Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez
STRIKER – ERLING HAALAND
What’s left to say about Haaland at this level? Each sport he appears to shatter increasingly data.
The Norwegian scored his twenty ninth purpose of the season towards Copenhagen on Wednesday as Metropolis cantered to the Champions League quarter-finals.
The ahead is on observe to retain his Premier League golden boot, main the best way with 18 targets.
He’s but to attain at Anfield, nevertheless.
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