By Habeeb Kuranga
Arguably the biggest fixture in English football in recent times. Two teams who have changed the face of the league in the last five years. Under the tutelages of incredible minds with tactical ingenuity and awareness.
Manchester City and Liverpool will yet again battle each other. It might not be a fixture which decides the title between them (just like the 2018/19 and 19/20 seasons). But it is surely a fixture to claim the bragging rights of who is the superior between them.
The Cityzens have had quite an incredible season so far. They are currently second in the league summit. Already in the quarterfinals of both the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.
It is the opposite for their Saturday’s opponent. The Reds have had a tough season so far. Already eliminated in all cup competitions. And are presently languishing in sixth on the log.
Here Is What You Should Know Ahead Of The Showpiece Event At The Etihad Stadium.
This match would be the 52nd Premier League fixture between both sides. Liverpool have won 21. Man City have triumphed in 11 occasions. While 19 have ended in draws.
In their last 13 home Premier League games against Liverpool, Man City have only lost once (a 4-1 loss in November 2015 under Manuel Pellegrini). Winning 7 and drew 5.
Liverpool possess a record of defeating the reigning champions of the league. They have done it a record 23 times. More than any other team in the division’s history. The most recent being the victory they recorded over City at Anfield in the first leg encounter.
Mohamed Salah has scored in all three matches he’s played against the Cityzens this season. The last Liverpool player to score in four different games against an opponent in a single campaign was Ian Rush against Everton in 1986/87. In fact, the Egyptian winger has scored 10 goals against Man City since he joined Liverpool ahead of the 2017/18 season.
Jurgen Klopp and his boys will be aiming to complete a league double over Pep Guardiola’s side for the first time. The last time Liverpool defeated Man City across the two legs in the league was in the 2015/16 season.
Throughout his tenure, Guardiola has fallen short more times against Klopp than any other manager. 11 of his 97 losses as a coach in senior football (excluding shootouts) have been against his German counterpart.
Erling Haaland has scored 42 goals across all competitions this season. Only two players – Mohamed Salah (2017/18) and Ruud van Nistelrooy(2002/03) – have scored more goals in a single campaign in England than the Norwagian. Both players are tied on 44 goals.
So far this season, Liverpool have taken just 12 points from their 13 games away from home. That is less than relegation-threatened Southampton (13) and Leicester City (13).
Man City on the other hand have lost just a single home league game all season. They have garnered 34 points at home. Only Arsenal (35) have won more points at home than the Cityzens.
