This
match couldn’t have come at further wrong time than this as both teams are
finding it hard to shrug off the injury shocks that have come during the
festive period. A win in this match could prove send a massive message across
the league, while a setback for either of the teams won’t decide too much as
indicated by the minor point gap between the top four.
Liverpool have won only 1 of their last 5 away
games in the Barclays Premier league.
Liverpool
are still without Enrique and Sturridge as the duo is out of the squad with
knee and ankle issues respectively. Steven Gerrard has made a speedy recovery
and thus could be available on the bench as early as in the weekend clash
against Chelsea. Another Injury setback for LFC is of a sparkling young talent
Flanagan, with the defender a doubt for the clash with a hamstring problem.
These injuries have limited Rodgers’ options to only 17 players and that too at
a period where squad depth is crucial.
Liverpool haven’t won a match in which
they conceded first so far this season.
Liverpool
are likely to promote young Brad Smith onto Left Back role, as the young full
back looks set to impress in the probable absence of Flanagan. With no more
changes in the team expected, they Liverpool are likely to go with a 4-4-2
formation, with Sakho again starting in front of Danish International Agger.
Having
scored 29 goals and a 100% win ratio in 8 home games, only one team has managed
to concede less than 3 goals at Etihad. That describe the fear factor Liverpool
would be looking to overcome when they become hosts to the Citizens. At the
start of the season, it was Man City’s strike force that was termed as lethal,
however their midfield is not too far.
Out of 47 goals City have scored this
season, 23 have come from the midfield.
This
in itself a huge threat for a LFC side that have instilled young blood into
their midfield successfully this season, it will be interesting to see who the
midfield battle evolves at the Etihad.
Having
had Aguero on the sidelines for more than a month from now on, Peligrini could
be without Zabaleta as well as the defender is in contention for earning a
place back if he could nod his injury away. Other than that, Joe Hart is
expected back in the lineup after the English International’s impressive
displays for City in Champions League.
City
would be going with the same 4-4-2, a formation which has produced goals but
has also leaked goals at the back as well. In last 6 matches, City have managed
only 2 clean sheets, and this could be the stat which could test City’s resolve
against the high flying Suarez.
Prediction:
I
am going for a win for City, but it will be the first goal that could probably
denounce or support this. An early Liverpool goal could be leading LFC fans to
a perfect 90 minutes, however if City managed to score early, floodgates could
be opened at the Etihad against LFC.
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