Fabinho, Sadio Mane and Alisson return but Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero miss out as Liverpool host Man City in the Premier League

Pep Guardiola's City side sit top of the table and seven points clear of their opponents, with a game in hand, but things are getting heated.

When speaking about Liverpool's tough patch of form, manager Jurgen Klopp believes fatigue is part of the cause.

His defending champions have played a lot of football, like the rest of the 'Big Six' but claimed Guardiola's side have had more rest than them due to some postponed games.

"We didn't have a break, I think City had a two-week break for Covid reasons," Klopp said.

"It's really tough, it's a tough year, a tough season, I know for some teams it looks like lesser, but for us obviously for the reasons you know, it's tough."

Guardiola quickly hit back though, adding some extra spice to the fixture, he replied: "He made a mistake. Jurgen has to see the calendar again.

"We had Covid, we had one week and we played with 14 players in Stamford Bridge.

"Tomorrow when I see Jurgen I will ask him how long we had off. I'm surprised, I thought Jurgen was not that kind of manager, I didn't expect that comment. Maybe it was a misunderstanding."

Meanwhile, the Spaniard is ignoring talk about his side's recent record at Anfield, which sees them without a win on Merseyside since 2003.

He added: "The game is for Sunday, to win and get three points. It isn't about how many years or centuries and so on. It is another game, one of 38 in the Premier League."

Liverpool team news

Klopp could have Alisson, Fabinho and Sadio Mane back against Premier League leaders Manchester City.

The Reds' goalkeeper missed defeat to Brighton due to illness, while Fabinho and Mane have been absent with muscle injuries.

New signing Ozan Kabak is eligible for the squad but it seems unlikely Klopp will throw him straight in for such an important match.

Manchester City team news

City are still without record goalscorer Sergio Aguero and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

Aguero continues to build up his fitness in training after a spell out with coronavirus while De Bruyne is absent with a hamstring injury.

Defender Nathan Ake also remains on the sidelines with a muscular problem.

How Liverpool should look against Man City

How Man City should look against Liverpool

On Sunday afternoon, the new rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City continues at Anfield in this enthralling Premier League season.