'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
League leaders Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield and although it's early days, the Reds could take a major step towards securing their first league title in 30 years with a victory against their closest rivals. Jurgen Klopp's side are six points clear of their opponents and are the only unbeaten side left in the Premier League at this stage of the season.
As the reigning European champions prepare to host last season's domestic treble winners, the game promises to be an exciting affair and the stakes could not be higher, as in many ways the tie is a potential title-decider.
Despite the fact that both sides have been hampered by injuries to key players, star-studded players in abundance are set to take the field on Sunday as the showdown between two of the best sides in the English top-flight draws ever so close.
The likes of Aymeric Laporte and Joel Matip have been ruled out of the fixture owing to long-term injuries and although it was initially reported that Rodri could be out until the international break, the Spaniard has recovered ahead of schedule and could feature for the away side.
Manchester City's hopes of winning a hat-trick of league titles depends considerably on this fixture and the Cityzens will be left with a mountain to climb if they end up on the wrong end of the scoreline against Liverpool.
As two of the best teams in the Premier League prepare to go head to head in a potential title-decider, let's look at 5 players who could turn out to be potential matchwinners on Sunday.
5) Trent Alexander-Arnold
"It's like having Kevin de Bruyne at right-back" claimed Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher as he was full of praise for the young Scouser for his performances this season. Alexander-Arnold is one of the most exciting players in the world in his position and the youngster is the perfect prototype for the modern-day fullback.
Often slated for his defensive frailties, the 21-year-old has been in exemplary form in both ends of the pitch this season and has established himself as one of the biggest match-winners in the Premier League despite being a right-back.
Alexander-Arnold's skill-set is far too unique for a full-back and Liverpool's lack of creativity in the centre of the park is more than made up for by Trent's impetus from the right-flank and his tally of 1 goal, 3 assists and 9 big-chances created this season is a startling example of the aforementioned fact.
4) Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne is in a class of his own when it comes to attacking midfielders in the Premier League and the Belgian international has been in sublime form this season despite being troubled by injuries. De Bruyne's vision and crossing is amongst the best in the country and the fact that he's equally adept with both feet makes him extremely hard to play against.
Manchester City tallied 97 points on their way to the title last season and it's scary to think that they did so with their star midfielder missing for a sizable chunk of the season.
Pep Guardiola will hope for the former Wolfsburg man to produce the goods in a big game like he's done so numerous times in the recent past as the Cityzens look to close the gap in the Premier League summit.
Also check out:EPL fixtures EPL table Premier League
3) Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane has been one of the most in-form players in world football since the turn of the year and the Senegalese international has carried on from where he left off last season. In the last 12 months or so, Mane's form has eased the goalscoring burden on Mohamed Salah and the duo have combined to devastating effect to haunt the Cityzens on multiple occasions.
Aside from his goalscoring heroics, Mane has numerous other facets to his gameplay and his explosiveness in the final-third makes him an absolute menace to defend against. The former Southampton man has established himself as one of the most potent attackers in the country and his form will be crucial if Liverpool are to get a positive result on Sunday.
2) Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling has been one of the biggest beneficiaries since Pep Guardiola took charge of the Cityzens and the Englishman has become what you'd call an end-product machine. Sterling's all-round gameplay has improved leaps and bounds in the past 12 months and the 24-year-old man will look to get one over his former side.
Sterling hasn't scored a single goal against Liverpool since his £50 million move to Manchester City in the summer of 2015 and he can't ask for a better opportunity to make his mark in the fixture, as the Cityzens look to close the gap between themselves and the league leaders.
1) Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is widely regarded as one of the biggest big-game players around and the Argentine will look to enhance his reputation further with another feather in his cap. Aguero scored when the two sides met in January at the Etihad and the veteran striker will look to score just his second goal at Anfield.
The former Atletico Madrid man has scored goals at an incredible rate since his move to England and the fact that he's lead the line for 3 different managers across 4 title-winning seasons is a testament to his incredible ability and consistency.
Aguero has lead the line superbly for the reigning Premier League champions this season and Liverpool will try everything within their powers to keep the diminutive striker at bay.
