Liverpool Vs Manchester City: Five duels to expect

Liverpool plays against Manchester City in a Super Sunday clash at Anfield. 

For Jürgen Klopp, this will be his last league game against his business competitor, who both have shared 29 fiery contests in the EPL so far. However, Pep Guardiola had 10 wins compared to Klopp who has managed 11 with eight draws recorded.  

What a remarkable way to have the 30th, which in some way determines who takes the top spot in the league table. 

Meanwhile, in both teams’ first meeting this season, Liverpool miraculously escaped from the Etihad with a point. And with the first leg having Klopp paraded on top of his guys, the second leg, which looks more important than the first, would have more of the academy boys saddled with the responsibilities.

Five duels 

Van Dijk Vs Erling Haaland 

Captain Virgil Van Djik has been a resourceful leader since Jordan Henderson left the Reds last summer. 

Erling Haaland would need to be stopped at Anfield this evening, and Van Djik’s propensity to show up in crucial games has been exceptional.

Though Haaland drawn the first match versus the Dutchman, a lot of lessons would have been learned to prevent any unruly incidents.

With an average of four clearances per game, the combination of Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate at the backline has been outstanding. 

However, Haaland since getting back from injury in February, the striker has picked up his scoring pouch from where he hung it last December. 

On average, Haaland creates five chances per game, of which at least one results in a shot on target.  

Mohammed Salah Vs Nathan Ake

One of the big wins for Jürgen Klopp going to the Super Sunday clash is the return of Mohamed Salah after a month-long injury during international assignment at the Afcon in Ivory Coast. 

Salah was a substitute during the week when Liverpool demolished Sparta Prague on Wednesday.

With the return of Salah, Nathan Ake has a bigger task to solve in preventing the Egyptians. 

Salah didn’t score in the first leg, but his assist to Trent Alexander-Anold cancelled Haaland’s first-half strike. 

Wataru Endo Vs Kelvin De Bruyne 

Wataru Endo has quickly adapted to Jürgen Klopp’s system, playing in Fabinho’s position. 

His work on Sunday evening would be to prevent the game flow from Kelvin De Bruyne at the midfield. 

Endo’s charisma against Chelsea at the Carabao Cup final was outstanding, and such an attitude will be needed to prevent De Bruyne from spreading passes to City’s attackers. 

Joe Gomez Vs Phil Foden 

Jürgen Klopp won’t be using Joe Gomez to play the inverter position like Arnold, but he’s a better marker than the English defender. 

And for him to stop Foden from getting through Liverpool’s defence, Gomez would have to do a man-to-man marking against the winger. Foden has the pace, but Gomez can stop him if he doesn’t overwork himself.

Dias Vs Darwin Nunez 

Ruben Dias against Darwin Nunez would be a battle of strength and pace. 

Dias is strong and fast, very similar to Nunez. 

In the aerial duel, Dias is slightly better than Nunez.