Liverpool vs. Manchester City: 5 key battles to decide the game | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool) vs. Rodri (Manchester City)

Will Thiago Alcantara get the better of his Spanish compatriot Rodri?

Perhaps the most intriguing battle in this game will be the one that decides which side controls the game from midfield. Both sides are excellent in attack, but if one can’t gain any traction in the middle, then they’re likely to struggle.

That means that the battle between Spanish internationals Rodri and Thiago Alcantara is going to be fascinating to watch.

Largely thanks to the defense behind him shoring itself up, Rodri has enjoyed a much better sophomore campaign at the Etihad. He’s played in all but one of City’s games thus far and appears to finally be getting to grips with breaking up the opposition’s play while also performing as a metronomic passer.

In the form of Thiago, though, Rodri will be up against a player who is equally confident on the ball and one who will look to be far more progressive, too.

Thiago hasn’t provided the creative spark that Liverpool fans were expecting him to just yet, but he’s still settling into the side. And this weekend could be the big stage he needs to display his very best form.

If Thiago can dictate this match from the middle – cutting Rodri out of the game – then the pendulum will almost certainly swing in Liverpool’s favor.

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#4 Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) vs. Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Can Sadio Mane find his best form against Manchester City this weekend?

By his own lofty standards, Sadio Mane hasn’t quite been at his best in the 2020-21 campaign. The Senegalese forward has still scored seven goals and registered three assists thus far. But those numbers pale in comparison to the ones he produced in the last two seasons.

If Liverpool are to win this game – and retain their Premier League title – then Mane simply has to start firing, taking some of the strain off top scorer Mohamed Salah.

This would be a perfect time for him to produce his best form, and if he’s to do so, then he’ll have to win his battle with Manchester City’s right-back.

That player is likely to be Joao Cancelo, who should be preferred to Kyle Walker based on current form and the fact that Walker had a stinker when he last faced Liverpool.

Cancelo is a largely offensive full-back – he’s been involved in more than one goal this season – but he’s also more than capable of shutting opposition attacks down, too.

But in Mane, he’ll be up against one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. If the Senegal international can get the best of the Portuguese, then City’s defense may begin to wobble – allowing for a Liverpool win.

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#5 Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) vs. Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)

Will Ilkay Gundogan keep up his hot run against Liverpool - or will Jordan Henderson stop him?

Without the injured Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City have had to look elsewhere for the majority of their creative spark this season. And although Phil Foden has also been fantastic, it’s Ilkay Gundogan who’s really stood out.

Thus far, the German international has made 16 appearances in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and registering one assists. It’s not De Bruyne levels, but he’s still looked like City’s dangerman in recent weeks.

So in the absence of Liverpool’s main holding midfielder Fabinho – who is likely to be deployed in defense – can Jordan Henderson keep him quiet?

Liverpool’s captain isn’t a classic breaker – he doesn’t possess the tough-tackling of Fabinho. However, you can guarantee he’ll run his heart out for the Reds, and that all-action style could ensure that City’s midfield attackers, most notably Gundogan, are given less room to operate in.

Because make no mistake, if Gundogan is given the room, he’ll do Liverpool untold damage – something that Henderson will be absolutely busting a gut to avoid.