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- Liverpool have not lost at home to Manchester City since May 2003, when Nicolas Anelka's late winner was enough to overcome Milan Baros' opener, on the Frenchman's return to Anfield.
- The Reds' 3-0 loss to West Brom last week was their worst ever opening in top flight football for 75 years.
- Jose Reina is all set to emulate Graeme Souness’ and Alan Kennedy's appearance record of 359 for the club.
- After playing against Hearts midweek Joe Allen has now made 100 passes for Liverpool in two competitive appearances, with 96 of them finding their target.
- Manchester City have now won seven Premier League matches on the bounce.
- In between the years 2010 and 2012, Joe Hart is the top-flight goalkeeper who has kept the most clean sheets with 35. Liverpool's Reina is in second place, with 26.
- The last game Roberto Mancini's side did not win was their 1-0 reverse at Emirates Stadium on April 8, a defeat that, at the time, looked like ending their hopes of sealing the Premier League title.
- Samir Nasri and Carlos Tevez have started the season in form. Both the Frenchman and Argentine netted in City's Community Shield win over Chelsea and their opening victory against Southampton.
Brendan Rodgers opted to rest several
key figures for Thursday night's Europa League qualification clash against
Hearts in anticipation for the visit of the Premier League champions.
Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin
Skrtel and Glen Johnson should all be recalled to the Reds’ starting XI. Jose
Enrique could also be back in contention after missing the opening game of the
season due to a knock sustained in training.
Daniel Agger serves a one-match
suspension after his red card against West Brom, while both Andy Carroll and
Joe Cole (hamstrings) are unlikely to feature.
Roberto Mancini will have to make do
without the services of Sergio Aguero (knee) for a month after the striker was
stretchered off last Sunday against Southampton. Mario Balotelli is likely to
have recovered sufficiently from conjunctivitis to step in to partner Carlos
Tevez up front.
Gareth Barry (hernia) and Micah
Richards (ankle) continue to be absent for the visitors, meaning that Jack
Rodwell should be able to build upon his debut last week, with another run out
at Anfield.
Liverpool
Liverpool will be looking to rebound
from the disappointing loss last Saturday. The loss of Agger will cause
problems, but the decision not to appeal the red flag was a good one as Agger
now will only miss the game against Manchester City rather than missing two
games.
Prior to the loss to West Bromwich,
Liverpool had won three straight games, the last two by 3-1 and 3-0 scores.
They definitely want to get back to that type of result, but it will be
difficult against Man City.
Although it's very early in the
season, Liverpool doesn't want to fall behind too far, so a win would obviously
be very good here. A win against Man City would pull them even with them in the
standings.
Manchester City
When you're on a winning streak, you
don't want to stop it, even if only one of the games have been in the regular
season. Given the fact that they haven't been exactly successful against
Liverpool will even give them more motivation to continue that winning streak.
Starting off the season with two
straight wins would be a great start to defending the Premier League title.
Probable Line-ups
Liverpool
Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel,
Johnson; Lucas, Gerrard, Allen; Downing, Borini, Suarez
Manchester City
Hart; Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany,
Clichy; Nasri, Rodwell, Toure, Silva; Tevez, Balotelli
Player to watch out
Liverpool - Joe Allen, Luis Suarez
Manchester City - Tevez, Toure, Silva
Last Meeting
- At Anfield: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (Kompany, Lescott [OG])
- At Etihad: Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool (Aguero, Y. Toure, Milner)
Prediction
Liverpool 2-3 Manchester City
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