The biggest match of the Premier League season puts the spotlight squarely on Anfield this weekend as Liverpool host Manchester City in a game which could very well determine the English domestic champion.
With the title chase currently a thrilling three-horse race and still over two months remaining in the season, there's plenty left to be played, but three points in either direction could have a drastic effect on who emerges atop the standings at the end of the campaign.
For Man City, it's the first of two in the month of March that will almost surely decide their candidacy for a sixth Premier League title in the last seven seasons. This trip to Anfield will be followed three weeks later by a date with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, while this is Liverpool's last chance of the year to steal points off a title rival.
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The Reds are in dire straits when it comes to the fitness of their squad, yet the soon-to-depart Jurgen Klopp has heroically kept this wounded team firing with arguably his greatest managerial masterpiece yet. The fitness crisis for Liverpool is juxtaposed by a fully fit Manchester City side which has its biggest stars back from injury and in scintillating form.
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Liverpool vs Man City odds
Manchester City are the favoured side on the road at Anfield, a strong nod to their squad strength and superior fitness. However, it's not a large gulf between these two sides, as many are backing Liverpool to hold serve at home.
Both teams are thought overwhelmingly likely to score, as these two clubs have seen each side fail to keep a clean sheet in three straight matchups and nine of their last 10 overall. However, the goals total is not overtly inflated, with it situated at just slightly above 3.0 goals between them.
| Unibet (AU) | |
| Liverpool win | 2.95 |
| Draw | 3.80 |
| Man City win | 2.25 |
| Both teams to score Y/N | 1.47 / 2.63 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals | 2.28 / 1.63 |
| Liverpool -0.5 goals | 2.85 |
| Man City +0.5 goals | 1.42 |
Liverpool vs Man City prediction
- Moneyline lean: Draw (3.80)
- Score prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Man City
Given the players available for both teams, it feels as if Manchester City are set up extremely well, but Jurgen Klopp has found a way to achieve dramatic results all season, and it's hard to imagine that will change here, especially at Anfield where Man City have struggled to pull out wins.
There's great value on the draw here, with the two giants often deadlocked, possibly putting off deciding the Premier League title until a later date.
Liverpool vs Man City match facts
- Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024 (Mon. Mar 11 AEDT)
- Kickoff time: 3:45 p.m. local (2:45 a.m. AEDT / 11:45 a.m. ET / 8:45 a.m. PT)
- Location: Anfield Stadium (Liverpool, England)
- Referee: Michael Oliver, VAR: Stuart Attwell
- Last meeting: Man City 1-1 Liverpool (Nov. 25, 2023 | Premier League)
Liverpool vs Man City key stats
- Liverpool have just a single defeat in their last 20 home Premier League matches against Manchester City, coming in a 4-1 loss in February of 2021. Prior to that defeat, Liverpool had gone 16 straight unbeaten against Man City at home in league play, with 12 wins and four draws.
- Erling Haaland has faced Liverpool six times in his career, more than any other English club, but just two of those have come in Premier League play. He has three goals against the Reds, one coming in those two EPL matches.
- With 29 head-to-head matches, both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have faced each other more times than any other manager in their careers.
MORE: Get a full look at the head-to-head rivalry between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool vs Man City team news
Liverpool's injury list is long and painful. Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, Joel Matip, and Diogo Jota have all been out for some time, while Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alisson are all in the midst of more recent injury absences. The status of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez will be monitored closely, with Salah missing out on the midweek Europa League trip to Sparta Prague and Nunez coming off the bench against Nottingham Forest last weekend. There could be a host of academy graduates involved here with so many first-team players out for the Reds.
The only injury concern for Manchester City heading into this match is with Jack Grealish who suffered a muscle injury against Luton Town and has been missing since. Pep Guardiola rested a host of players in the 3-1 win against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, including Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne and therefore should have a fully fit squad to take on this massive Premier League tilt.
Liverpool vs Man City best bet
- Pick: Phil Foden anytime goal scorer
- Odds: 3.45 (Unibet)
While Kevin de Bruyne's brilliance remains the most defining feature of this Manchester City attack, Phil Foden's emergence as a reliable everyday forward this season has been thrilling to watch.
Foden shouldered much of the creative load while de Bruyne was injured, but since the Belgian regained his fitness, he has transitioned just to a pure goal scorer. Since de Bruyne's return, Foden has six goals to just one assist in eight Premier League games, including a brace against Man United last time out.
The young England international was strong against Liverpool at Anfield last time they met, turning four shots worth 0.16 xG into 0.54 xGOT, denied three times by Alisson who will not be participating in this match due to injury.
Liverpool vs Man City flier bet
- Pick: Halftime/Fulltime — Man City/Draw
- Odds: 13.00 (Unibet)
Pep Guardiola has arguably the most talented squad in the world, and he will be going up against a depleted Liverpool lineup. That could play a role early, as Man City exert their dominance through the first 45 minutes of the match.
Yet the Anfield effect, Jurgen Klopp's influence, and Liverpool refusal to die all season long will be pervasive throughout the match, and it could lift the Reds once again. As we're backing them to score last, there's also reason to believe that moment can have a meaningful effect on the game.
