Manchester City vs Liverpool: 5 key battles to watch out for | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Sadio Mane vs Kyle Walker

Sadio Mane has been excellent for Liverpool

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.

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#2 Kevin De Bruyne vs Jordan Henderson

De Bruyne is Manchester City's most important player

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.

Five assists in a seven days for Kevin De Bruyne. Five assists for seven City goals. The pianist. pic.twitter.com/Wh37le1Xhl

— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) November 3, 2020

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.

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#1 Mohamed Salah vs Aymeric Laporte

Salah is prolific at his best

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.

Jota ✔️Salah ✔️Mane ✔️New addition, same attack 🔴 pic.twitter.com/tMRgTxDncs

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 3, 2020

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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