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The Premier League returns to the fold this weekend with arguably its most important fixture so far as reigning champions Liverpool take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Neither side has fulfilled its potential so far this season and has a point to prove going into this game.
With Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp at the helm, an intriguing and respectful rivalry has developed between the two sides over the past two years. Liverpool and Manchester City have exchanged blows on several occasions in the recent past and will want to get one over each other this Sunday.
Manchester City and Liverpool have shown plenty of improvement since their underwhelming start to the season and will now look to make a push for the top spot in the Premier League table.
Manchester City are currently in 10th place in the Premier League table and their progress this season has been hampered by injuries to a few key players. Pep Guardiola faces one of his most difficult tests as a manager this season and will be eager to step up to the plate this weekend.
With the Premier League title on the line, Liverpool are also at a crossroads in their campaign and will want to string of positive results in the next few weeks. Manchester City can potentially be a contender for the title towards the business end of the season and Liverpool will want to make a statement with a victory on Sunday.
Both sides will have to do without a few important players but have plenty of quality across the pitch. Manchester City's encounters with Liverpool are often as personal as they are tactical, and both sets of players will want to win their battles on the pitch
#5 Riyad Mahrez vs Andrew Robertson
Liverpool's incredible attacking prowess is primarily sourced from the wider areas of the pitch, and left-back Andrew Robertson has been exceptional for Jurgen Klopp over the past few years. The Scotsman has been one of the few shining lights in Liverpool's defence this season and will want to put his best foot forward against Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola has placed his faith in Riyad Mahrez this season and the Algerian wizard has largely delivered for Manchester City. Mahrez does have his off-days, however, and will need to be at his best against Robertson.
The Liverpool full-back spends a significant amount of his time in the opposition's half of the pitch but will have to wary of Mahrez's pace this weekend. Riyad Mahrez can be lethal on his day and will want to take full toll of Liverpool's attacking full-backs.
#4 Raheem Sterling vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
Raheem Sterling has grown into a world-class player under Pep Guardiola but will have to bring his best self to this weekend's game. The English winger has blown hot and cold so far this season and cannot afford to put a foot wrong against his international teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Sterling put Joe Gomez to the sword in the previous meeting between these two teams and will be looking forward to facing Liverpool on Sunday. The Reds' right-back, however, will stop at nothing to ensure that Raheem Sterling has a quiet game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has not enjoyed a particularly positive season in the Premier League so far but will want to be back at his exhilarating best in this game. The full-back is capable of producing moments of sheer magic but cannot afford to make a single mistake against a potentially lethal Raheem Sterling.
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#3 Sadio Mane vs Kyle Walker
Sadio Mane's achievements at Liverpool often inexplicably slip under the radar but his importance to Jurgen Klopp's side cannot be understated. The Senegalese winger has been involved in his fair share of famous incidents against Manchester City and will be eagerly looking forward to this game.
Kyle Walker is one of the few players in Manchester City who can keep up with the speedy Sadio Mane. The English full-back has shown signs of a resurgence this season and will have his work cut out against the Liverpool forward. Sadio Mane has made a massive impact for Liverpool this season and is known to step up for his side on the big stage.
Manchester City need a victory in this game to turn their season around and Kyle Walker's battle with Sadio Mane will likely determine the outcome of this game. Sadio Mane is lethal at his best and Kyle Walker has plenty of work to do ahead of this game.
#2 Kevin De Bruyne vs Jordan Henderson
Kevin De Bruyne's presence in Pep Guardiola's starting eleven makes Manchester City a different prospect. The Belgian star is arguably the most complete midfielder in the world and his ability to turn the game on its head with a single fell swoop makes his Manchester City's sole talisman.
De Bruyne was instrumental in Manchester City's 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool towards the end of last season. Liverpool had already won the Premier League title, however, and will present a more aggressive front when the two English giants meet on Sunday.
Jordan Henderson has been Liverpool's unsung hero for the past several years now and is perfectly capable of putting a stop to De Bruyne's magic this weekend. Henderson has plenty of big-game experience and his performance against the best midfielder in the Premier League will be key to Liverpool's success in this fixture.
#1 Mohamed Salah vs Aymeric Laporte
Mohamed Salah has already become a modern-day legend at Liverpool. The Egyptian winger's exploits in the final third have made him one of the most dangerous goalscorers in the Premier League. With Sadio Mane and new signing Diogo Jota holding up their end for Liverpool, Salah is well-poised to burst on to the scene this weekend.
Aymeric Laporte has been Manchester City's best defender in an otherwise disappointing year for the club this year. The French centre-back is technically gifted and will have to be extremely careful against the sheer pace and presence of Mohamed Salah.
Salah is yet to hit the heights he achieved for Liverpool last season but his ability to singlehandedly decimate defensive lines makes him one of Jurgen Klopp's most effective players on the pitch. Manchester City have a well-documented chink in their armour as far as counter-attacks are concerned and Liverpool have the perfect weapon in Mohamed Salah to exploit their opponents' weaknesses.
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