Five key head-to-head battles we expect to see between Liverpool and City at Anfield.
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Jon Flanagan vs Jesus Navas
If Navas starts, the Spaniard will be up against a man who has enhanced his reputation perhaps more than any other Liverpool player this season. At the start of the campaign, Jon Flanagan was something of an unknown and behind fellow youngsters Andre Wisdom and Martin Kelly in the battle to back-up Glen Johnson. Now the 21-year-old is a mainstay in the Reds’ back four and should line up at left back against City. But the very right footed Englishman will face one of his toughest tests against Navas, who will be direct and look to attack the youngster on his weaker left foot. Liverpool’s full-backs have license to attack, particularly at home, but it will be essential Flanagan does not leave Navas unattended or the Spain international could use his pace to punish Liverpool on the counter.
Steven Gerrard vs Yaya Toure
The battle of the midfield maestros; both Toure and Gerrard will look to impose themselves the game in a similar fashion, by controlling the midfield and breaking forward when possible – although it’s fair to say Toure has better legs than the England captain. Interestingly, both players are brilliant but heavily reliant on their partners; Toure suffered in the defeat against Chelsea without Fernandinho, while Gerrard has been at his best this season alongside Jordan Henderson. Given the pair boast 31 Premier League goals between them this season, it’s likely one will provide a telling contribution to this match. Whoever works hardest – in attack and defence – and takes their chances is likely to lead their team to victory.
Coutinho vs Fernandinho
If Coutinho plays – which is not guaranteed, given his inconsistent showings this term – it will be his compatriot Fernandinho’s job to shackle the playmaker. The City man is not a traditional holding midfielder and he likes to get forward but Fernandinho cannot afford to leave Coutinho too much space, because the youngster has the talent to hurt the visitors. However, it’s fair to say that the former Inter Milan star doesn’t always sparkle, so a discipled performance from his fellow Brazilian could keep Coutinho quiet and go a long way towards winning City the game – and the title.
Daniel Sturridge vs Vincent Kompany
These two are guaranteed to start and whoever comes out on top is likely to go a long way to deciding the match. When presented with a decent chance, Liverpool’s Sturridge normally scores so City captain Kompany will have to be at his best to prevent the England star getting a yard. The Belgian is arguably the most complete defender in the Premier League but with Luis Suarez to worry about too, he will have to hope his defensive partner Martin Demichelis, who is susceptible to pace, is also at the top of his game.
Martin Skrtel vs Sergio Aguero
While Sturridge, Suarez, Kompany and co. battle it out at one end, at the other Sergio Aguero is likely to be the main man. The Argentina is still not fully fit but is likely to have recovered sufficiently from his latest knock to line up at Anfield. Despite a series of niggling injuries, only Lionel Messi boasts a better goals-per-minute ratio in Europe’s top five leagues. Skrtel, meanwhile, has been Liverpool’s main man at the back this season but there is still a sense that the Reds remain suspect defensively. While Mamadou Sakho is likely to tackle the more physical Edin Dzeko or Alvaro Negredo, it will Skrtel’s job to stop Aguero. He must stick to the Argentina like glue or risk being exposed.