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#2 The absence of Aymeric Laporte leaves City vulnerable at the back
Although Liverpool themselves will be without Joel Matip for the game, who has established himself as one of the best centre backs in the Premier League, the absence of Aymeric Laporte will be more crucial in this contest.
Since being signed in 2018 by the Cityzens, Laporte has without a doubt been the best defender for the team. A commanding presence at the back who is one of the best passers of the ball in a team filled with great passers, Laporte's absence in the City backline has not gone unnoticed.
Guardiola and his team have already dropped six points in the league this season post the injury to the French international. Those two losses have come against Norwich City and Wolves - imagine the damage an in-form Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino can cause to a vulnerable defence.
Even though Liverpool have also been defensively weaker than last season, the Reds have stepped up in big games and have only dropped points against Manchester United, not conceding more than one goal in any of those games.
As such, the Manchester City defence is more exposed without the presence of their main man, and that is a major advantage for Jurgen Klopp and his team.
