Liverpool vs Manchester City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Liverpool’s home record and subsequent form, accompanied by Manchester City’s apparent downfall, should give the Reds a potentially season-defining victory this weekend.

Liverpool have won their previous six in all competitions, whilst Arne Slot's Liverpool side are also unbeaten in their last 15. Manchester City are experiencing their worst spell of form under Pep Guardiola, with the Champions winless and without a clean sheet in their previous six.

In this fixture, neither side has kept a clean sheet in the previous four meetings, with both teams scoring in nine of the last ten between the two teams. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in five of the last seven involving Liverpool and six of the previous seven involving Manchester City.

That being said, Liverpool look good for the win here. The Reds are in impressive form; however, if Manchester City showcases the positive spells they produced against Feyenoord, then they will make things challenging for Liverpool.

However, in this clash of the titans, Liverpool should overcome Manchester City 2-1.

Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City

Liverpool can make another huge statement at the weekend, as they face a Manchester City side struggling to maintain the pace this season.

Date: 01/12/2024
Location: Anfield, Liverpool.
Kick-Off: 4 pm

Liverpool and Manchester City have shared titanic title rivalries through the last six years, especially under the Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp era. Both sides have shared the last seven league titles, with Manchester City winning six and Liverpool only once. Despite the apparent dominance in the head-to-head title challenges that City possesses over Liverpool, the Reds have an opportunity to rubber-stamp their authority in this fixture.

Arne Slot has been superb since he arrived from Feyenoord, winning 11 of his first 13 Premier League games. His Liverpool side already has a commanding eight-point lead over Manchester City heading into this game. A win for Liverpool will move them 11 points ahead of Manchester City and potentially 12 clear of Arsenal, should they falter against West Ham United.

Manchester City would have marked this game down as “must-not-lose” at the start of the season; however, in their current predicament, the Citizens simply have to win to stay in the title race. A win will narrow the points differential to five points, and a slip-up from either side could allow Arsenal to pounce.

Last season, both matches ended 1-1 between the two teams, as the points were equally shared.

The game will be available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

Alisson is expected to be unavailable, so Caoimhin Kelleher will look to continue his impressive stint in goal. Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa will both be unavailable.

Manchester City have been hit with injuries in recent weeks, although the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones could be risked as Pep Guardiola seeks a result at Anfield.

The recent meetings between the two teams suggest that a Liverpool win isn’t exactly a foregone conclusion on Sunday. Manchester City are unbeaten in the last four meetings between the two sides, although the Citizens have not won at Anfield since 2021, when the country was in lockdown. The visitors are winless in their last three attempts at Anfield, drawing the game last season. The game last season was remembered for the controversial decision not to award Liverpool a penalty for a potential foul by Jeremy Doku.

Liverpool have been outstanding under Arne Slot, as the Dutchman has led the Reds to 17 wins in his first 19 games in all competitions. The Reds have now won their last six in all competitions, including seven of their previous eight Premier League games. Liverpool have also won four of their last five at home in the Premier League, having only lost once in all competitions at home to Nottingham Forest. Anfield has predictably become a fortress for the Reds, as Arne Slot’s side keeps a 50% clean sheet rate on home soil and a 58% possession rate.

In their most recent home game, Liverpool exercised their demons with a commanding victory over Real Madrid - their first since 2009. The Reds produced a 2-0 win over Los Blancos, and heroics from Caoimhin Kelleher were needed to prevent Kylian Mbappe from scoring from the spot. Liverpool’s most recent league fixture was the result required for potential champions as they secured a comeback victory against a game Southampton side.

As for Manchester City, as mentioned, Pep Guardiola is possibly experiencing his worst run as a professional manager, most certainly during his tenure at the club. Manchester City have lost five of their last six games in all competitions and the last three in the Premier League. The Citizens last recorded a win in the Premier League over three weeks ago in a less-than-convincing display against struggling Southampton. Away from home in the Premier League, Manchester City lost their previous two, whilst in general, they conceded eight in their last three.

In their most recent game, Manchester City were set to restore some faith heading into this fixture. However, their defensive woes continued as they squandered a 3-0 lead at home to Feyenoord. The most recent league game didn’t exactly fare any better for Pep Guardiola, as a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur leaves them chasing an impossible task in the title race.

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