Last season’s battle between Liverpool and Manchester City for the league title was one of the hottest and had some of the best football of the last decade or more. City eventually triumphed after a late slip-up from Liverpool allowed The Blues to jump to the top of the table. On Monday night Liverpool could have their revenge, with Brendan Rodgers’ side visiting The Etihad in the second Premier League fixture of the season.
The first time these two sides met last season was also in Manchester, on Boxing Day. That was during a good run of form for Liverpool, that even saw them take the lead through Coutinho – admittedly, they could have had more before City even replied. After conceding on 24 minutes, the hosts were ahead by the break thanks to goals from Vincent Kompany and Álvaro Negredo, but it was a tough game for both parties that signalled the fight Liverpool were capable of putting up as they aimed to win their 19th title.
The return fixture was very different. Coming just weeks before the conclusion of the Premier League season, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding the game, with City and Liverpool the undoubted title favourites by kick-off. On the day, Liverpool game away victorious, but not before a fight by City. The Reds were 2-0 up by half-time thanks to Sterling and Skrtel, before City got it back to 2-2 with goals from Silva and a Glen Johnson own goal. On 74 minutes, Coutinho scored what turned out to be the winner with a good finish after a Kompany error. The game was deservedly won by the hosts, who were rightly title favourites after the match. However, the old mantra that football is unpredictable rang true again a month later.
These two sides have already met this season, in pre-season on their tours of America back in July. New York played host to the two clubs, who drew 2-2 on the night (Jovetić scored twice while Henderson and Sterling scored for Liverpool), before Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties in the International Champions Cup.
Liverpool have lost the player who caused City a lot of problems last season, both in games against The Reds, and just scoring the amount of goals he did, almost firing Liverpool to the title himself. They’ve used the money they got for him to reinvest in talents like Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana, as well as strengthening the defence with players like Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno. While the attack might not look as menacing as before, the rest of the team is definitely stronger.
Unfortunately for Brendan Rodgers, one of his big money signings, Adam Lallana (LCL), is unavailable for the game, whilst some of the old guard are also missing. Daniel Agger and Jon Flanagan (both knee) are absent as well as Tiagi Ilori (thigh) and Assaidi (cartilage). Lazar Markovic (hamstring) should be back for the game however.
With no additions to the injury list, Negredo (metatarsal fracture) being out for another month is the only continuing worry for Manuel Pellegrini at the moment. Summer signing Eliaquim Mangala should be fit to play and make his debut after his £32 million signing from Porto last week. Martin Demichelis is likely to be the player dropped for the Frenchman’s introduction.
Along with Daniel Sturridge, Monday night’s game could see another familiar face line up in red against City: Mario Balotelli. The Reds are thought to be in talks to sign the Italian striker, with some outlets even reporting a fee for the 24-year-old has been agreed. The mercurial striker displayed flashes of brilliance during his last spell in England, and should Brendan Rodgers be able to control his attitude he could be a very useful signing on Merseyside.
This type of game that we’ll see on Monday night is key to both City and Liverpool. Many are doubting City’s credentials to be able to retain the title, whilst Liverpool need to prove they can consistently finish in the top four without Luis Suárez. If they’re going to do that, they need to try and get something from games like Monday’s, when they visit Eastlands.
