In what promises to be another exciting Premier League encounter, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made two key changes to his side following their dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend. One of the most notable absences is Erling Haaland, who misses out due to injury. His place in the lineup is taken by the energetic Jeremy Doku, while club captain Kevin de Bruyne also returns to the starting XI after being sidelined in previous matches.
Manchester City’s starting lineup for the clash is as follows:
Starting XI: Ederson (GK), Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Foden, Savinho, Doku, De Bruyne, Marmoush.
Substitutes: Ortega (GK), Dias, Kovacic, Grealish, Gundogan, Silva, Reis, Nunes, McAtee.
Guardiola will be hoping that his star players can carry the momentum from last week’s comprehensive win into this crucial match against Liverpool. While Haaland’s absence is significant, the team still boasts a wealth of talent, with De Bruyne and Foden likely to play pivotal roles in the midfield and attacking third.
On the other hand, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made just one change to his side, following their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa earlier this week. Luis Diaz is recalled to the starting lineup, replacing Diogo Jota, while Cody Gakpo, who had been a regular starter, is relegated to the bench for this fixture. Diaz, who has been in fine form, will hope to make an impact alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool’s starting lineup is:
Starting XI: Alisson (GK), Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Jones, Salah.
Substitutes: Kelleher (GK), Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Gakpo, Elliott, Jota.
Liverpool’s midfield trio of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai is expected to provide a strong base for the Reds, while the attacking duo of Diaz and Salah should offer plenty of pace and creativity in the final third. The defensive partnership of Van Dijk and Konate will also play a crucial role in containing Manchester City’s attacking threats.
Both teams come into this match with the ambition of asserting themselves early in the 2024/2025 season, with Manchester City looking to maintain their impressive form and Liverpool hoping to continue building on their own positive performances. The match is set to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams boast world-class players and a wealth of attacking talent.
Fans will be eagerly watching the battle between two of the Premier League’s most formidable sides, and this fixture promises to deliver drama, excitement, and high-quality football.