Manchester City vs Liverpool: Premier League Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Dream11 Predictions

Manchester City vs Liverpool is the next match in the Premier League as Manchester City welcome Liverpool at the Etihad with this fixture could well prove to be the title decider.

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Match Preview:

The points were shared in a thrilling 2-2 draw when the title contenders met at Anfield in October and just a single point separates the sides ahead of this showdown.

While Liverpool have fought hard to close the gap on the defending champions, neither side comes into the Etihad Stadium clash on anything but great form.

City downed Atletico Madrid in midweek to make it four wins in a row and eight without defeat, while Liverpool's win at Benfica made it five consecutive victories with their last league defeat coming in December.

Team News:

Manchester City:

The big injury news from the Man City camp is still the continued absence of centre-back Ruben Dias, who is on the way back from his hamstring injury but will not return in time for Sunday's clash.

Youngster Cole Palmer is also still absent from his ankle injury but was never in contention of starting this one, and Guardiola will welcome a well-rested Kyle Walker back from a Champions League ban.

Walker could immediately come back in on the right-hand side as Joao Cancelo shifts back over to the left in place of Nathan Ake - who did well against Atletico - while John Stones will cover for Dias alongside Aymeric Laporte.

Foden's bright impact off the bench against Atletico should lead Guardiola to consider a recall for the 21-year-old, who could be flanked by Riyad Mahrez and ex-Red Raheem Sterling here.

Liverpool:

Meanwhile, Liverpool welcomed Trent Alexander-Arnold back from a hamstring problem much quicker than initially anticipated, while Naby Keita shook off a knee issue to play 89 minutes against Benfica.

Fabinho came off in that game with a cut to the head but did not sustain a concussion at the incident, and Klopp announced at his press conference that he expects to have everyone fit and available for the top-of-the-table clash.

Konate put in a stellar showing at the Estadio da Luz before being at fault for Nunez's effort and is sure to make way for Joel Matip, while Alexander-Arnold should be fit enough for another start on the right.

Jordan Henderson was also among the substitutes for the Benfica win but will expect to earn a recall over Keita - although he will not walk back into the side by any means - and Klopp is facing quite the quandary in attack.

Mohamed Salah has been off the boil since returning from the international break, but Klopp surely cannot fathom dropping the Egyptian for this game, leaving Mane, Diaz, Jota and Firmino to battle for the final two attacking spots.

With this weekend's game being more of a priority than the second leg against Benfica given their two-goal advantage in that tie, Klopp could elect to name an unchanged frontline with Diaz and Mane linking up with Salah.

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Head to Head:

Liverpool have an impressive record against Manchester City and have won 105 out of 218 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Manchester City's 55 victories.

Manchester City have an impressive recent record against Liverpool and have lost only one of their last 12 matches against the Merseyside outfit at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool are winless in their last four matches against Manchester City and could potentially equal their worst-ever run against the Cityzens this weekend.

Liverpool have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League away games against Manchester City and previously achieved the feat in 2010.

Recent performances in all competitions:

Manchester City:

0-0 draw against Sporting CP

0-0 draw against Crystal Palace

4-1 win over Southampton

2-0 win over Burnley

1-0 win over Atletico Madrid

Liverpool:

2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion

2-0 win over Arsenal

1-0 win over Nottingham Forest

2-0 win over Watford

3-1 win over Benfica

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Predicted Line-ups:

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz

MNC vs LIV: Dream11 Predictions: