Big Battle At Anfield

As Liverpool, Man City Clash At Anfield With Title Race, Rivalry In Focus

Liverpool and Manchester City will renew their Premier League rivalry at Anfield on Sunday, with the visitors arriving at the top of the table and the hosts looking to close the gap on the early leaders.

Manchester City have made a perfect start to the league season, winning all five of their matches to collect 15 points, while Liverpool are sixth on nine points after two victories and three draws.

The encounter will also be City’s first match since being found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, meaning Pep Guardiola’s side are likely to face a hostile reception from the Anfield crowd.

City, however, will enter the ixture in excellent form and could still be top of the table when they walk onto the pitch, holding a three-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal.

They have won all seven of their matches across competitions this season and have scored 10 goals in their last two home victories over Norwich City and Sunderland.

Their recent away performances have been equally impressive, with City recording consecutive clean-sheet victories over Manchester United and Porto.

The champions will therefore travel to Anfield believing they can extend their perfect league record, although their recent history at the stadium suggests the contest could be far more difficult. y have won only two of their last 16 Premier League visits to Anfield.

They did, however, claim a 2-1 victory there last season, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive late goal. Haaland has also enjoyed playing against Liverpool, scoring five goals in his last three meetings with the Reds.

The Norwegian’s fitness is nevertheless a major concern after he was forced off during Norway’s defeat to Portugal while on international duty.

City are already without Phil Foden, who is suspended following his red card against Manchester United, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly are also injured.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will be looking to take advantage of City’s potential absences despite entering the match six points behind their rivals.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions and have won four of their last five, with their only setback being a goalless draw away to Fulham.

Their latest outing produced a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, while they have also defeated Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Ipswich Town in the league during their recent run.

Liverpool have scored eight goals and conceded three in their last five matches, suggesting that while they remain difficult to beat, they have not been completely convincing.

Their home form is particularly interesting. Liverpool have won their last two Premier League away