Football
Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
SportsBoom offers insight into the biggest game of the Premier League weekend! Anfield plays host to the defending champions Manchester City in what can only be described as a game fir for a king. Have a look at our preview covering the latest odds, giving you the shrewdest tips and our prediction on which way this one goes.
Nathan Ake and Darwin Nunez//Getty Images
SportsBoom offers insight into the biggest game of the Premier League weekend! Anfield plays host to the defending champions Manchester City in what can only be described as a game fir for a king.
Have a look at our preview covering the latest odds, giving you the shrewdest tips and our prediction on which way this one goes.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Liverpool dominate the early markets
Home: 57/50 (2.14) – 45%
Draw: 13/5 (3.6) – 26%
Away: 9/4 (2.8) – 29%
Head-To-Head Record
Last five meetings (Premier League)
10/03/2024: Liverpool 1–1 Manchester City
25/11/2023: Manchester City 1–1 Liverpool
01/04/2023: Manchester City 4–1 Liverpool
16/10/2022: Liverpool 1–0 Manchester City
10/04/2022: Manchester City 2–2 Liverpool
Arne Slot is the joint-fastest of any manager to reach double figures for wins from the start of their career in a particular competition!
Liverpool Current Form – WWWWW
Liverpool just couldn’t have asked for a better start to the League season. Arne Slot has come into the job and seen his side absolutely fly. They sit at the summit of the Premier League table; eight points clear of their nearest rivals and are smashing every internal record at Anfield.
These are the games where they can really make a statement though, they have shown that they can take care of the so-called lesser teams in the league, but if they can register sophisticated and controlled performances here, we think it sets a massive indicator to the trailing pack.
To be fair, as soon as you start to discount City you are on a hiding to nothing.
Key Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah: Mohamed Salah’s contract talk still leaves a lot to be desired…but given the uncertainty around the Egyptian, his performances on the field have been nothing short of absolutely exceptional. You look at the way he celebrated his penalty against Southampton, the fact that it secured three points for his side was evident, but the passion is unquestionable.
Ryan Gravenberch: This is arguably one of the most underrated players at Liverpool right now. Ryan Gravenberch has been incredible for Arne Slot’s side, he goes about his business without drawing any attention to himself, but his ability to shift defence into offence and drive the midfield up the pitch is otherworldly in its effectiveness for his club.
Caoimhin Kelleher: Kelleher was given an opportunity due to the misfortune of Alisson Becker, but the young keeper has taken his opportunity with both hands. He has come up with some important saves for his side, but interestingly, he has contributed to their recycling of the ball in a phenomenal way. With an average passing success rate of over 70%, he satisfies the modern fascination with an ability to play with his feet, but also commands the box with the ease and confidence of a seasoned keeper.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool is expected to be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson for this encounter.
Manchester City Current Form – LLLLL
As much as the news that Pep Guardiola has chosen to extend his stay at City was the major talking point of the weekend, the fact that (at the time of writing) City are without a single win in their last five encounters has dominated every footballing headline.
City are not playing well at the moment, you look at them and feel inclined to suggest that the wheels are starting to come off…and yet they are still within striking distance of the Liverpool at the summit.
Pep Guardiola will know that his side simply have to respond if they are to remain relevant in the League, but this will not be an easy trip for them. Anfield will be hostile and unwelcoming – but City wouldn’t be expecting anything less.
Key Players to Watch
Rico Lewis: He’s been a smart player for Pep Guardiola, the defensive awareness coupled with a tactical appreciation has made him a consistent selection in Guardiola’s starting lineup. A difficult player to track off the ball, Lewis has shown his contributions to City’s transition can hurt any opponent.
Bernardo Silva: The engine room of this City team, Bernardo Silva has shown time and again that he is capable of a bit of magic which more often than not alters the trajectory of a game. The Portuguese wizard will be important for City during these difficult moments, but he is never too far away from a magical performance in a big match.
Erling Haaland: Have you heard of the saying, “form is temporary, class is permanent”? There can be no better embodiment of that saying than Haaland. He has seemingly gone off the boil since telling Arteta to remain humble, but if you want to count out the most prolific finisher in the modern age, it can only end in tears.
Manchester City Team News
City have a few injuries of their own, but the most notable is likely their Ballon d’or winner Rodri.
Predicted Line-Up
Liverpool: 4-2-3-1
Kelleher; Robertson, van Dijk, Konate, Bradley; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
Manchester City: 4-2-3-1
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Gundogan; Foden, Silva, De Bruyne; Haaland
Suggested Bets
For the punters amongst us, these are some of the best worth considering ahead of this encounter at the weekend,
Liverpool to win: The quality on display within this Liverpool side is without a doubt up there with the very best we have seen in the league. Arne Slot has hit the ground running; his side is brimming with confidence, and Anfield will no doubt be absolutely bouncing! (11/10 (2.1) with Betway and Bet365)
Both Teams To Score: Here you have two teams with an uncompromising attacking prowess, the quality in their attacking threats cannot be questioned but neither side have managed to show the same certainty in their defensive ranks… (1/2 (1.5) with Betway and Bet365)
Liverpool to score first: Anfield will be rocking and the intensity with which this game starts might be too much for City in the early exchanges. Back Liverpool to open their account first. (8/11 (1.73) with Betway and 4/6 (1.67) with Bet365)
Value Bets
Mohamed Salah – Anytime Goal scorer: The Egyptian seems to be playing with a degree of confidence few can match. Even with all of the uncertainty off the field, you almost get the feeling he is playing to earn a contract.
For an added layer of safety, Salah will often be the man behind their set pieces and penalties. (8/5 (2.6) with Bet365)
Highest Scoring Half – 2nd Half: High profile games in England usually seem to open up at the back end of the fixture. If one of these teams begin to get stretched as the game goes on, it could spell trouble on the counter. (1/1 (2) with Betway)
Prediction: Liverpool Win
We really can’t see how Liverpool loses this game. They come into the game with a brilliant run of form, which can only aid their confidence. They are playing on their home patch which is usually an incredibly difficult place for teams to travel to. Yes, City can never be underestimated, but with that being said, Arne Slot has shown that he will not accept his side drifting for their system and style…one which at this point seems to be too strong for a frail City side to contend with.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.
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