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It is the Clash of the Titans this Sunday, when Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield in an encounter the whole world is looking forward to. This season, both teams have been in top form so far, winning 6 of the 7 games, and both are tied at 19 points. However, owing to a superior goal difference, Manchester City are at the top of the League, with Liverpool in second.
Liverpool have a stellar record against Manchester City at Anfield in all competitions. They are unbeaten in the last 17 home games and last lost to City at home back in May 2003! Last season, the two sides faced each other 4 times, and City lost 3 of those matches, 2 in the Champions League and one in the Premier League. However, City did inflict a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Etihad at the start of the season.
Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the league in their last 24 games, where they have won 16 and drawn 8 games. They have also managed to keep a clean sheet in their last 8 games at home in the Premier League. On the other hand, in their last 25 away games in the Premier League, Manchester City have lost just one, and incidentally, that was the loss to Liverpool at Anfield last season!
The highly anticipated match at Anfield will be a game of wits, tactics and determination, as both of these teams like to play open, attacking football. As such, we look at the 4 players who could be crucial on Sunday to determine the outcome of the game.
#4 Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The Senegalese has been phenomenal for Liverpool so far this season. He is currently their top scorer having scored 4 goals in 7 Premier League games, but Sadio Mane brings so much more to Jurgen Klopp’s side than just goals. It is his combination with Salah and Firmino that will cause Pep Guardiola the most headaches. Mane’s speed and strength can unsettle even the best of defenders and Manchester City will certainly have plans underway to counter his threat because Mane has the ability to determine the outcome of this game.
This season, Mane averages 0.57 goals per game and has attempted 19 shots, 11 of which have been on target. He has a shooting accuracy of 58% and has already hit the woodwork once. The Senegalese averages 30 passes per game and his direct approach makes him dangerous in the final third. Mane has already created 2 big chances so far and has attempted 8 crosses.
The Senegalese has been Liverpool’s main man so far, and he has helped Jurgen Klopp deal with Salah’s slow start. Against Manchester City, Sadio Mane could be instrumental in taking Liverpool to the top of the table.
#3 David Silva (Manchester City)
The Spanish maestro was burdened with extra responsibilities right at the start of the season when Manchester City’s midfield general Kevin De Bruyne was sidelined with an injury. And David Silva has truly risen to the occasion, with some great assistance from the other Silva – Bernardo. The Spaniard has already scored 2 goals in his 5 appearances, including a sublime freekick and has attempted 11 shots so far, 5 of which have been on target.
Even though he has not picked up an assist yet, Silva has been instrumental in orchestrating the city attack. He has averaged 76.6 passes per game so far, and has attempted 13 crosses. He has created 4 big chances and also has attempted 1 through ball. To stop Manchester City, Liverpool have to stop David Silva and it won’t be easy.
The Spaniard uses his fascinating close control and nifty skills to get out of tight spaces. He tends to drifts around, which makes it very difficult to mark him and he can affect the game from almost any part of the field. His long balls are also menacing and Silva already has 6 accurate long balls to his name so far.
Guardiola will be hoping that his silky Spaniard, who also has phenomenal steel in him, will be able to guide Manchester City to another victory.
#2 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The exciting Egyptian is going through a tough phase this season, but it would be catastrophic to rule him out as a one season wonder. Mohamed Salah has been larger than life last season, yet has been slower than usual off the blocks this time. However, his numbers are still quite respectable for the average striker.
In the 7 games in the Premier League so far, Salah has scored 3 goals. He started the season with a goal against West Ham United, and since then has scored against Brighton and Southampton. While his return is quite decent, it is the fact that he has failed to score in the games against Tottenham and Chelsea, that raises a few eyebrows. Salah will be desperate to find the back of the net against Manchester City and quash all the doubters.
The Egyptian has already attempted 29 shots so far in his 7 games in the Premier League and 12 of those have been on target. However, he has also missed 6 big chances, which is the reason for his less than average returns in front of goal. He has one assist to his name so far, and has also created 2 big chances.
Jurgen Klopp does not look to worried yet, but will be hoping Salah gets back to his scoring form against Manchester City. Big players always choose the grandest of occasions to announce themselves to the world and Manchester City knows that Salah has the qualities to hurt them. It remains to be seen whether the Egyptian can finally return to his form which saw him lift the Golden Boot last season.
#1 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
The Argentinean has a poor record at Anfield so far in his career. He has played 9 games there in all competitions in his career, which includes 7 with Manchester City and 2 with Atletico Madrid. Unfortunately, Aguero has not scored a single goal in all those games. He has registered just 11 shots in those 9 games and only 3 of those have been on target.
After missing out on the Golden Boot for three seasons running, Sergio Aguero seems to be hungry for a taste of the trophy again this season. He has been on fire so far, scoring 5 goals in his 7 games in the Premier League and 8 goals from 10 games in all competitions. Aguero has an impressive 0.71 goals per game ratio in the Premier League at present, and has attempted 38 shots, with 11 of them on target. The Argentinean has hit the woodwork 3 times already but has missed one big chance too.
Aguero is vital to City's tactics, because he is terrific with his back to the goal and his close control and dribbling skills also make him one of City's biggest threats. The intelligent Striker combines very well with City's creator in chief, David Silva and drops into clever spaces between the lines to make himself available for the pass. The Liverpool defense will certainly have their hands full with the Argentinean on Sunday and will be desperate not to allow him any space to work his magic.
Against Liverpool, Sergio Aguero will be Guardiola's main weapon and the Argentinean will also be hoping to score and put an end to that dreadful record once and for all.
