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( votes)Liverpool v Manchester City EPL Match Preview
Just four days after their Capital One Cup Final clash, Liverpool go head to head with Manchester City once again, at Anfield in the Premier League with the Reds seeking revenge.
KLOPP ASKS FOR FOCUS AFTER SHOOT-OUT HEARTBREAK
Liverpool players looked dejected last Sunday after narrowly missing out on the first silverware of the season following defeat on penalties to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup Final, but coach Jurgen Klopp promised a strong response from his side. The German tactician explained that; “You always have to strike back. We can say all of these things, but you know you can fall down and then you have to stand up.” He continued by declaring that; “That’s the truth, but it’s completely normal – only silly idiots stay on the floor and wait for the next defeat. Of course we will strike back – 100%.” The real truth is that his team needs to pick up league points soon if they are to make any sort of challenge for a Champions League place next season. At the moment the Merseyside club sits in mid-table however, they do have a game in hand on the teams above them (excluding Manchester City).
PELLEGRINI STILL BELIEVES IN LEAGUE TITLE GLORY
Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini will not want the Capital One Cup to be his last trophy for the club. His team are still in contention for more honours both domestically and in Europe but their chance of being crowned kings of England, may hinge on a positive result at Anfield on Wednesday. The best football betting sites are currently offering odds of *7.00 for them to lift the trophy in May. Dropped points on Merseyside after back to back home defeats to title rivals Leicester City and Spurs, could put an end to any hopes of them regaining their crown. Pellegrini has challenged his players to use last weekend’s triumph as a catalyst to re-ignite their pursuit of the Premier League title declaring that; “We are not going to give up on the Premier League – we have to play for another 36 points and we have made a huge step in the Champions League. To win the title, we have to have a lot of trust.”
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool will give a late fitness test to defender Mamadou Sakho, who had to be taken off for concussion in the first-half of the Wembley defeat. Dejan Lovren is also a doubt for Wednesday with Martin Skrtel and Joe Allen both missing due to hamstring problems. Brazilian midfielder Phillipe Coutinho will make his 100th appearance for the Reds, the betting exchanges are offering odds of *4.00 for him to celebrate with a goal.
The visitors have no new injury worries ahead of the short trip to Anfield however; Kevin De Bruyne Fabian Delph and Samir Nasri all miss out. Last weekend’s shoot-out hero Will Caballero, will drop back to the bench as Joe Hart returns in goal.
THE ANFIELD SQUADS
Liverpool (from) Mignolet, Moreno, Kolo Toure, Sakho, Clyne, Coutinho, Can, Milner, Henderson, Firmino, Sturridge, Caulker, Flanagan, Ward, Ibe, Stewart, Origi, Benteke
Manchester City (from) Hart, Clichy, Kompany, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Silva, Fernandinho, Fernando, Sterling, Yaya Toure, Aguero, Caballero, Kolarov, Celina, Iheanacho, Manu Garcia, Alex Garcia, Demichelis
HEAD TO HEAD
Liverpool have won three of the last four meetings between the two, whilst Manchester City are without a win at Anfield in their last 12 top-flight visits. Coutinho has scored in five of his last six Premier League games against the Citizens, with the fixture averaging 3.8 goals per match over the last nine encounters. Liverpool won last season’s corresponding match 2-1 and also won the first encounter at the Etihad emphatically; Mangala, Coutinho, Skrtl and Firmino all scoring in a 4-1 win.
*MATCH BETTING
Liverpool 2.70 Draw 3.40 Manchester City 2.80
*odds courtesy of Bet365
By: Steve Mitchell