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Champion vs Runner-up
Last season’s champions locking horns with the runners-up, it does not get any better does it? The 2013-2014 Barclays Premier League campaign saw a spirited Liverpool side lose out at the very end, to a determined Manchester City in the bid to win the league title. On the 25th of August the sides will go head to head yet again at the Etihad stadium in a late Monday night kick-off.Both Manchester City and Liverpool will want 3 points, having started with wins, in last weekend’s opening fixtures. Last time these two sides met in the league, Liverpool emerged victorious 3-2 at Anfield, when Philippe Coutinho pounced on an error from Vincent Kompany, which proved to be the difference between them. Liverpool has made a considerable increase in number to their side from last time,adding 10 names while Manchester City have had a relatively quite summer in terms of business.
Manchester City was defeated convincingly by a much superior Arsenal team in the Community shield earlier in August, when manager Manuel Pellegrini fielded a weak eleven. However, things were different last weekend when City edged past Newcastle United, at St. James’ Park with a 2-0 win. The game was hard fought unlike the score line suggested and the Chilean manager was pleased with the 3 points at the end of 90 minutes."I think the players were both hungry and humble. We need both those things if we are going to continue winning titles and if we want to improve on what we did last year.” he said in the prematch press conference. City was made to work hard before David Silva and Sergio Agüero found the mark at the end of both the halves. Some tired legs could be seen towards the end, about which when asked about, Pellegrini said "The players are not able to play 90 minutes at the moment, but we continued with our attitude and scored the second goal."
The players: Manchester City
Not much has changed at City in terms of personnel, with Pellegrini clearly wanting to continue the same approach that brought him success last season. Striker Alvaro Negredo is not expected to make a return for this clash and is linked with a move away from the club. But the city fans will have their eyes on the £32 million, French centre-back Eliaquim Mangala who is expected to start the game alongside Vincent Kompany at the back. Midfielder Frank Lampard, who is on loan at City will also be available.Manchester City Predicted Line Up: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Eliaqium Mangala, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy, Yaya Toure, Fernando, Samir Nasri,David Sliva, Edin Džeko and Sergio Agüero.
The Players: Liverpool
For Liverpool, the biggest talk this week has been about the arrival of Mario Ballotelli from AC Milan, the deal is set to be completed on Monday. Though the Italian will not be involved in the game, it sure that he will be watching his new team take on his former employers.Liverpool started the season with a marginal win over new looking Southampton. Southampton were strong in the second half and showed us that all is not lost, despite losing all their big names. A swift move saw Raheem Sterling open Liverpool’s Premier account for the season. In the second the saints equalized through full back Daniel Clyne, before Daniel Sturridge won the game with 10 minutes left to play. Simon Mignolet’s heroics towards the end ensured the 3 points for the reds.Former Manchseter City man, Daniel Sturridge will feel the weight on his shoulders, he is expected to step as Liverpool lost their best player in Luis Suarez to Barcelona in the summer. Manger Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the 3 points, just as his side line celebrations showed. "We scored two very good goals and we're delighted about the win. In terms of the character and desire and the will to win we were exceptional," he said after the game.New signings Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno will be available for the match but Adam Lallana is still doubtful. Liverpool Predicted Lineup: Simon Mignolet, Javier Manquillo, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Alberto Moreno, Steven Gerrard (captain), Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Phillipe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge.
Key BattlesKey player battles will include Daniel Sturridge squaring up against Sergio Agüero, who scored 20 and 16 goals last season respectively.
The match will witness midfield dynamos Yaya Toure and Steven Gerrard dictating the midfield.
It will also be interesting to see how the Liverpool centre back pair of Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel will deal with the fierce attack of Manchester City containing Džeko, Jovetic and Agüero. This mouth watering clash has goals written all over it, as both sides scored 100 plus goals last season.
Referee Michael Oliver will officiate the game that will kick off at 8pm local time.
