Lovren And Firmino Are Back: Strongest Liverpool XI To Face Manchester City At The Etihad

Predicted Liverpool Lineup To Take On Manchester City

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool finally managed to shed their ‘Robinhood’ tag after they picked up all three points from the league game against Burnley at the weekend. The victory pushed them closer to a place in the Champions League next season as they opened up a 5 point gap over Arsenal in the fifth place. The Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in the two of the last 4 games and will hope to put in a similar performance when they travel to the Etihad for a crunch tie on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have found some decent form of late and are at third place in the league standings, level on points with Tottenham. The visitors’ record against top-6 sides will trouble Manchester City and Klopp will hope for nothing less than all three points from this game.

Team News:

The Reds are still without the services of skipper Jordan Henderson who is not yet back in training. Daniel Sturridge is not an option as well for Klopp but defender Dejan Lovren is back to full fitness and could start this game against Manchester City. Brazilian Roberto Firmino also missed the last game but he was all smiling in training and is expected to lead the attack for this side.

Formation: 4-3-3

GK – Simon Mignolet

The Belgian was solid in the victory over Burnley and he is expected to put in a similar performance this weekend at the Etihad.

RB – Nathaniel Clyne

One of the best players in his position in the league this season. He will also have a huge role to play against the likes of De Bruyne and Leroy Sane in this game.

CB – Joel Matip

Matip has been first the choice centre-back for Liverpool and has been solid in the last few games and should keep his place in the first team.

CB – Dejan Lovren

The former Southampton man missed the last couple of games through injury but he is back in training and should replace Klavan at the back.

LB – James Milner

The versatile Englishman should start in his makeshift left-back position and will hope to get the better of Raheem Sterling.

CM – Emre Can

The German midfielder scored the winner in the game against Burnley and will be high on confidence. He will hope to have a similar game this weekend.

CM – Adam Lallana

One of the most important players in the squad, Lallana is expected to play a huge role if Liverpool are to win this game against Manchester City.

CM – Georginio Wijnaldum

The Dutch international has shown improvement in almost every game and was on target in the win over Burnley. He should start alongside Lallana and Can in Liverpool’s midfield three.

RW – Sadio Mane

The top goal scorer for Liverpool, Mane was good against Burnley and will hope to get back on the scoresheet, at the Etihad.

LW – Philippe Coutinho

The Brazilian has been out of form of late and has not been able to help his side in front of goal. However, this trip to the Etihad is a perfect chance for him to find some lost form.

CF – Roberto Firmino

Though he missed the previous game, Firmino is integral to the plans of the manager and he should lead the attack after coming back from an injury.

This is how they would line up: