Strongest Liverpool lineup To Face Manchester City: Start Henderson And Sterling

Liverpool take on Manchester City on Sunday in an encounter which is dubbed as a potential title decider at Anfield. The Reds currently lead the charge atop the Premier League standings but Manuel Pellegrini’s side have two games in hand in the race for the coveted title. Liverpool come into the huge encounter at the end of a hard fought 2-1 win over West Ham last weekend, whereas The Citizens travel to Merseyside at the back of a sumptuous 4-1 win over Southampton at home.

Can Liverpool dent City’s title aspirations and take a step closer to the title in what has been an immaculate season for Brendan Rodgers’ side. What will be the Reds’ strongest lineup to keep the Blues from Manchester at bay? We here at Soccersouls provide our readers with the hosts’ strongest possible lineup heading up to the intriguing encounter.

Goalkeeper:

Simon Mignolet faces his toughest test in recent games coming up against City’s free flowing football, which can blow away any side in the Premier League side. Edin Dzeko has been in great form while Yaya Toure seems unstoppable at the moment. Pellegrini’s side have the ability to run forays in the Liverpool defense and Rodgers should well and truly feel that his number one has to be at the top of his game to get full three points from the clash.

Defenders:

While Jon Flanagan should start on the right back slot, the young full back will have a game on his hands facing the burning pace of Jesus Navas in front of him. Glen Johnson should be playing in the right back role but the English International should make sure he doesn’t allow Samir Nasri and David Silva work in the pockets of space behind the front man. Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho will be up against Edin Dzeko on the pitch and with the Bosnian having the ability to take spaces wide on either side to aid his midfield colleagues, the Reds’ defense must make sure they aren’t stretched and are out of position dealing with City’s impeccable attacking prowess.

Daniel Agger despite returning to training, will likely sit out this one after Sakho had a brilliant game against West Ham.

Midfield:

Manchester City’s midfield is arguably the best in England with Toure and Fernandinho holding fort in the middle of the park. Liverpool must make sure they aren’t overrun by City’s engine-esque duo in the middle. Steven Gerrard will sit deep and try to dictate his side’s tempo in his newly found quarterback role.

Jordan Henderson should start on the wide right in the wings working tirelessly tracking back and making his runs up front. It would be interesting to see whether Rodgers goes for extra protection in midfield fielding Lucas as the destroyer or giving Philippe Coutinho the start on the left wing to stretch City backline. Raheem Sterling is sure to start playing at the top of the diamond behind the deadly duo of Sturridge and Suarez up front.

Strikeforce:

Liverpool’s best chance of winning the game will lie on how Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge play up front on Sunday in front of the home faithful. The SAS partnership will come up against Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis and must look to use their pace to evade the strong defensive pairing. While Kompany remains unreachable, Demichelis has vastly improved over the past few weeks, clearing out dangers and anticipating with his front foot defending.