Liverpool vs Man City Preview

Liverpool will face ninth-in-the-league Manchester City in Anfield (1500 hrs in UK time, 2300 hrs in Singapore time).

I figure that Liverpool will have to win at least 11 out of 13 matches, if not more, to prevent Man Utd from winning the title and matching their record, so this is a must-win game for them.

EXPECTED LINE-UP

Liverpool : Reina, Aurelio, Skrtel, Carragher, Arbeloa, Reira, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayon, Torres, Kuyt

Man City : Given, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Bridge, Zabaleta, Elano, De Jong, Robinho, Bellamy

INJURIES

Liverpool : Gerrard, Degen

Man City : Hamann, Petrov, Benjani, Johnson, Sturridge

SUSPENSIONS

Alonso (Liverpool), Wright-Phillips (Man City)

Now, let us take a look at some interesting statistics of this match :

• Fernando Torres has scored 3 goals in his last 2 appearances against Manchester City.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 7 Premier League encounters with the Citizens.
• City have failed to score in 6 of those 7 games.
• The last 3 Premier League clashes between these sides at Anfield have ended as 1-0 wins for the Reds.
• City's only Premier League win at Anfield came in May 2003.
• Liverpool have gone 14 league games without a defeat, longer than any other team currently.
• The Reds have gone 23 home games without being beaten - also a current Premier League best figure.
• City have gone 32 games since a goalless draw, longer than any other top-flight team currently.
• Liverpool have been denied by the woodwork 18 times this season, more than any other team.
• Torres has scored a goal every 114 minutes this season, the best rate in the Premier League.
• City have managed only 2 points more than West Brom on their travels.

Wow! Most of this stats seems to benefit Liverpool. But it may not be an easy win. Captain Steven Gerrard has still been ruled out of the clash with City as he is still recovering from a hamstring strain. Lucas and Javier Mascherano are likely to make-up an all South American central midfield as Xabi Alonso is suspended.

My prediction : Liverpool 2-0 Man City!