Manchester City worked themselves back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday and the Citizens go into the potential title-deciding clash against Liverpool on Thursday night high on confidence.
Pep Guardiola’s men are currently 2nd in the standings, seven points behind the Reds at the top of the table and the onus will be on them to force a result away from home.
Jurgen Klopp’s side stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games in the Premier League with an emphatic 5-1 win over Arsenal at home and they will head into the all-important game on Thursday as the favourites.
Benjamin Mendy and Eliaquim Mangala are ruled out with knee injuries while Kevin de Bruyne (knee) and Ilkay Gundogan are doubtful to feature in the high-voltage clash. Fabian Delph serves the second game of his suspension for the red card that he had picked up against Leicester while Claudio Bravo is another long-term absentee.
The Brazilian made some sharp saves and showed some good footwork in the last game against Southampton.
Danilo did a good job against the Saints in the last game but the Englishman is likely to be back for the game against Liverpool.
Vincent Kompany started the last game so Stones is likely to be up and running for the all-important clash on Thursday.
The Frenchman has been one of the standout performers at the back for the Citizens this season and should be amongst the starters for this one as well.
The Ukrainian committed a blunder against the Saints last week but he is likely to continue in the absence of Mendy and Delph.
The Brazilian was back in action after an injury and City will need their star man to rise to the occasion against Liverpool.
The Portuguese international was a lively presence in the final third against Southampton and brought the attack to life with his energy and creativity.
The diminutive Spaniard got himself on the scoresheet in the last game and City will need him to be at the top of his game to crack Liverpool open on Thursday.
The Algerian started the game on Sunday and showed glimpses of his brilliance but City will need more from him if they are to halt Liverpool’s unbeaten run.
He didn’t start the last game which is a clear indication that he is going to start on Thursday.
The Argentine talisman will be high on confidence after netting on Sunday and he will need to fire on all cylinders if City are to come away with three points.