Predicted Manchester City team to face Liverpool: Pep primed to exploit weakness with key weapon
In potentially the biggest league game of the season, the predicted Manchester City team could see Pep Guardiola attack a Liverpool weak spot.
Manchester City have been in top form pretty much all season, in all competitions. That has been no different in the last five games; despite a slip up against Crystal Palace, they have won four games in that period.
Guardiola’s side thrashed rivals Manchester United 4-1 at the beginning of last month. Their next win came in the FA Cup quarter-finals, as they beat Southampton by the same score.
Manchester City overcame Burnley 2-0 at the weekend, and followed that up with a 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Liverpool game is one of the most important of the season. City are one point better off than the Reds in the league, and this game could well hand the title to whoever comes out on top.
Guardiola revealed “everyone is fit” in his side, but for Ruben Dias. As such, the City side will be at full strength for the crucial tie.
The City manager also acknowledged how “important” the game is, so of course, his side will be gunning for the victory.
Last time out – Manchester City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
In midweek, Ederson started in net, with a centre-back pairing of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte ahead.
Joao Cancelo played at right-back, as opposed to his usual left-back role, with Nathan Ake filling that spot.
Kevin De Bruyne – who scored the only goal – played in midfield, alongside Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan.
Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva played as the attacking trio.
Predicted Manchester City team against Liverpool
This time out, Ederson is likely to remain in net. The centre-back partnership could well remain as Stones and Laporte, given Dias is out.
Cancelo may move to left-back – the position he has filled for most of the season – to accommodate for Kyle Walker on the right.
De Bruyne and Rodri could remain in the midfield, and Silva could drop back from his attacking role.
Mahrez could play with Foden and Sterling in the attacking positions. Sterling may be preferred to Jack Grealish, thanks to his pace. That will be an important factor in exposing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
While the right-back is a quality player, he is often seen as Liverpool’s least competent defender. Sterling playing down City’s left-hand side would target Liverpool, and could help City to gain the upper hand.
Predicted Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
READ MORE: Guardiola states tactical advantage Liverpool hold over Man City; labels Reds ace an ‘exhibition’
The post Predicted Manchester City team to face Liverpool: Pep primed to exploit weakness with key weapon appeared first on TEAMtalk.