City have won five Premier League games out of five under Enzo Maresca. If they make it six at Anfield on Sunday, in the circumstances, some might have to start taking this perfect start seriously.
City’s return after the international break comes at the end of a difficult week away from football, but Maresca has spent much of Friday trying to drag attention back towards the game. He does at least have Erling Haaland available after the striker caused some concern when he came off while playing for Norway.
Haaland has five goals in five league appearances and scored in all three meetings with Liverpool last season. City won all three of those games, including a dramatic victory at Anfield, so this isn’t a ground they will travel to with quite the same baggage as previous City teams.
Anfield should tell us plenty about Man City
There are easier places to play your first match after the week City have just had. The atmosphere will be hostile, and Maresca knows it, while Liverpool went into the international break unbeaten in seven games in all competitions.
City have selection problems as well. Phil Foden is suspended, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly have been dealing with injury problems. Liverpool have had concerns of their own following the international break, including Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
For all the noise surrounding City, this is a fascinating test for Maresca. Five straight league wins have been an excellent start, but taking three points from Anfield would carry rather more weight.
We should know a little more about this City side by Sunday evening.
