Man Cityvs.Liverpool

The Norway international jarred his knee in the closing stages of last weekend's 4-0 victory over Newcastle United and was subsequently left on the bench for their 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

As expected, Pep Guardiola was incredibly coy when asked about Haaland's status for the visit of the league leaders, which John Stones (thigh), Manuel Akanji (thigh), Oscar Bobb (calf) and Rodri (ACL) will all miss.

Mind games are not uncommon before a game of this magnitude, though, and there is every chance that Haaland will be given the thumbs-up to spearhead the attack with support from last weekend's hat-trick hero Omar Marmoush.

Ilkay Gundogan should be the one sacrificed to accommodate Haaland's potential return, as Phil Foden, Savinho and Bernardo Silva continue in tandem in the final third, while "mini Rodri" Nico Gonzalez acts as the midfield screen.

Guardiola could simply shift Abdukodir Khusanov across to centre-back and introduce Rico Lewis to cover for Stones's absence, but the former may even make way entirely for the more experienced Nathan Ake.

The last line of defence and recently the first line of attack, Ederson will become the first goalkeeper to set up a goal in three straight Premier League games if he conjures up an assist on Sunday.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez; Savinho, Silva, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland

Written by

Ben Knapton