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Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool go face to face in a mouth-watering Premier League showdown on Sunday that has the potential to swing the title race in both facet’s favour.
Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis are the reigning champions and boast a one level lead on the the highest of the desk – however have squandered a 14-point benefit that they held again in January.
The Reds, in the meantime, head to the Etihad on the again of 10 successive Premier League victories and a win would take them two factors away from their rivals with seven matches to play.
With nothing to decide on between the 2 groups, Sportsmail compares their gamers in every place based mostly on present kind and health, giving every staff an general score forward of the highly-anticipated showdown.
Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool collide on Sunday in a mouth-watering title showdown
Phil Foden scored one in all Metropolis’s objectives when the 2 groups performed out a 2-2 attract October
GOALKEEPER
Ederson (Manchester Metropolis) – That is in all probability the place the place each groups match up the identical. Ederson and Alisson and each unbelievable goalkeepers who maintain their groups in matches singly-handedly. Ederson’s distribution might be slicker and his consolation on the ball is essential to how Guardiola’s facet construct their assaults. 9/10
Alisson (Liverpool) – Klopp encourages his Liverpool defence to play such a excessive line as a result of he is aware of he has the security of Alisson stood behind them. The Brazilian could also be susceptible to an error on occasion however his potential in 1v1 conditions is second to none and his shot-stopping is good. 9/10
Brazilian duo Ederson (left) and Alisson (proper) are two of the very best goalkeepers on this planet
RIGHT BACK
Kyle Walker (Manchester Metropolis) – The England star has been probably the most constant proper backs within the Premier League for a decade now and continues to have the belief of Guardiola and Gareth Southgate. His tempo shall be vital for Metropolis in shackling the speedy wingers Liverpool possess. 8/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – A very completely different kind of full again, the 23-year-old has revolutionised the place and grow to be Liverpool’s playmaker. His potential on the ball is ridiculous, as proven in Benfica, however Alexander-Arnold will have to be at his greatest off it to maintain Man Metropolis out on the Etihad. 9/10
Kyle Walker (left) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (proper) play the appropriate again position in several methods
CENTRE BACK
Aymeric Laporte (Manchester Metropolis) – The Frenchman’s absence by way of harm within the 2019-20 season was seen as one of many key causes that Metropolis dropped to this point behind Liverpool. He has confirmed himself to very important to Metropolis as soon as once more and his partnership with Ruben Dias is so robust that Liverpool shall be hoping to take advantage of the Portuguese’s absence. 8.5/10
Joel Matip (Liverpool) – The Premier League’s greatest free switch within the final decade? Matip has had his points with accidents throughout his time at Liverpool however this season his availability has been nice and the Reds have reaped the rewards. Dominant within the air, robust 1v1 and progressive with the ball, Matip oozes class. 8.5/10
Aymeric Laporte (left) is essential for Metropolis with Ruben Dias lacking and Joel Matip (proper) is prospering
CENTRE BACK
John Stones (Manchester Metropolis) – Stone is Guardiola’s third selection centre again and wouldn’t be enjoying if Dias was match. That being mentioned, as an everyday at worldwide degree with England he is not precisely a foul back-up. Liverpool shall be trying to exploit the absence of Dias so it might be a busy afternoon for Stones on Sunday. 8/10
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – If it wasn’t already, it has grow to be clear simply why Liverpool struggled to retain the Premier League final season with Van Dijk lacking. The colossal Dutchman is again to being the very best defender on this planet and, if there was any doubts he’d take time to stand up to hurry, then he has confirmed they have been ill-judged. 9.5/10
John Stones (left) will begin instead of Dias, whereas Virgil van Dijk is again to his greatest for Liverpool
LEFT BACK
Joao Cancelo (Manchester Metropolis) – The Portuguese arrived considering he would spend more often than not on the appropriate facet however Metropolis’s struggles at left again have meant he is shifted throughout. Regardless of being proper footed, Cancelo has tailored with ease and is a serious risk going ahead. Defensively, he’s very spectacular as properly. 9/10
Andy Robertson (Liverpool) – Robertson has encapsulated every part good about Klopp’s time at Liverpool. Arrived as an unheralded title from Hull, the Scot has grow to be one of many world’s greatest full backs together with his relentless vitality and depth. Nevertheless it does really feel as if his work on the ball has barely dropped this season. 8.5/10
Joao Cancelo (left) has tailored properly to switching flanks whereas Andy Robertson is relentless
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
Rodri (Manchester Metropolis) – It took the Spaniard a season or so to search out his manner within the Premier League. Shielding the again 4 might be hectic in English soccer however now he is confirmed to be one in all, if not the very best holding midfielders round. It appeared like Metropolis had a tricky job to interchange Fernandinho however they’ve positively discovered their man. 9/10
Fabinho (Liverpool) – Usually the unheralded star of this Liverpool staff, Fabinho is essential for Klopp’ facet in defending their defence, masking for his or her marauding full backs and beginning assaults from the bottom of midfield. In current months the Brazilian has began so as to add objectives to his sport as properly. 9/10
Defensive midfield is an space each groups are dominant in with Rodri (left) and Fabinho (proper)
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester Metropolis) – Is he the very best participant on the planet proper now? If there was one man who would inevitable break down Atletico Madrid’s cussed resistance in midweek then it was De Bruyne and he duly impressed with a fantastic second-half purpose. His passing and imaginative and prescient are an enormous risk to Liverpool’s defence. 9.5/10
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) – Liverpool’s captain isn’t essentially a starter each week however his management and the depth he calls for from his team-mates means he will certainly play on this large sport. Working in a wider, No 8 position, his link-up play with Mo Salah and Alexander-Arnold has been a system tweak by Klopp this season. 8/10
Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity shall be key if Man Metropolis are to interrupt down Liverpool’s defence
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Bernardo Silva (Manchester Metropolis) – Contemplating he was questioning his future on the membership final summer season, Silva has grow to be very important within the coronary heart of midfield for Guardiola because of his high quality on the ball and selflessness off it. He delivered a masterclass at Anfield each this season and final and he shall be key to shutting down Liverpool’s counters. 8.5/10
Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool) – The distinction between Liverpool with and with out Thiago is fairly apparent. When he performs he strikes possession so rapidly and precisely and is not afraid to place his foot in or compete within the air. Niggling accidents have been a problem however he seems to be match in the intervening time and that is a lift for Klopp. 8.5/10
Bernardo Silva and Thiago Alcantara maintain their groups ticking over within the midfield space
RIGHT WING
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester Metropolis) – It feels just like the Algerian’s exploits in entrance of purpose have gone considerably below the radar this season, given he has scored 22 objectives in 37 appearances. Mahrez is a defender’s nightmare together with his devilishly fast dribbling and punchy strikes on his left foot. He will certainly be a handful for Liverpool’s again 4. 8.5/10
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – The Egyptian might be enduring the worst run of kind he is been on since arriving at Anfield in 2017. He hasn’t scored in open play in seven matches, his contact appears off and he is struggling to burst previous opponents. His current disappointment with Egypt seems to be to have sapped all of his vitality however there isn’t any higher sport to burst again into life. 8/10
Riyad Mahrez is under-rated and has a fantastic purpose return whereas Mo Salah is struggling for kind
LEFT WING
Raheem Sterling (Manchester Metropolis) – The England worldwide was left on the bench for Metropolis’s current win over Man United and draw at Crystal Palace however returned with a pair of assists at Burnley. As a rule he begins the massive video games and Sterling shall be determined to land a hammer blow on his former membership – and Metropolis’s title rivals – on Sunday. 8/10
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – Given how spectacular he has been since arriving in England, it might not be a shock to see Luis Diaz star. However Mane is flying excessive and appears to be again to his greatest after a sloppy marketing campaign in 2020-21. He completed off a fantastic staff purpose on Tuesday night time and his tempo in behind might damage Metropolis on Sunday. 8.5/10
Raheem Sterling at all times begins the massive video games whereas Sadio Mane look sharp for Liverpool
CENTRE FORWARD
Phil Foden (Manchester Metropolis) – Foden precipitated Liverpool all kinds of issues together with his direct runs in behind throughout their first assembly of the season at Anfield. He additionally bought the equaliser with an ideal end into the far nook. The 21-year-old confirmed his undoubted high quality towards Atletico in midweek and he seems to be more likely to function in that ‘false 9’ position for Metropolis on Sunday. 9/10
Diogo Jota (Liverpool) – This sport might come down to 1 staff’s potential to attain one decisive likelihood and, with Metropolis lacking a standard striker, Liverpool can name on the last word poacher in Jota. He has scored 20 objectives this season and his potential in and across the six-yard field is second to in all probability solely Cristiano Ronald in England. 8.5/10
Phil Foden has impressed as a ‘false 9’ whereas Diogo Jota has became Liverpool’s poacher
MANAGERS
Pep Guardiola (Manchester Metropolis) – He joked earlier this week that he overthinks ways going into large video games like this however Guardiola seems to have lastly realized take care of Liverpool’s gung-ho model, having not misplaced any of their final 4 conferences. He’ll know {that a} win right here will virtually assure one other title. 9/10
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) – The truth that Liverpool are going into this sport with an opportunity within the title race is testomony to Klopp’s work behind the scenes. Seemingly down and out in January after three winless video games, the Reds have been relentless in chasing down Metropolis. Now can he encourage them to arguably the most important win of his Anfield reign? 9/10
TOTAL
Manchester Metropolis – 104/120
Liverpool – 104/120
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp know this sport shall be essential within the Premier League title race
