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Manchester City recovered from their recent slump with an expected win over Southampton, which kept their chances of winning the title alive, even though they remain seven points behind Liverpool. The opening match between the two sides ended barren, with Riyad Mahrez missing a penalty just days after joining City from Leicester and it will be interesting to see how City approach the game when playing at home against the only unbeaten side in the season, who come from an impressive 5 – 1 win over fifth placed Arsenal. It has been a torrid run for City and they will be happy to see the festive period behind them, having lost thrice in the last five league matches, a run that also saw them drop to second place. Liverpool have picked eight straight wins with five clean sheets therein and though playing away from home, they will hold a big threat. Manchester City have scored in 17 of their last 18 matches across all competitions but have no clean sheet in the last 10 matches, which they will need to massively improve on as they head to face a Liverpool side that has scored two or more in six of the last seven matches. This clash has a promise of lots of goals; the two sides have scored a combined 102 goals this season but incredibly, Liverpool, with the best defence in the season, have conceded just eight in 20 matches. City have let in twice that number and we don’t expect that they will bank a lot on their back line. It will be more of an attacking strategy for the champions. Liverpool have picked eight wins and two draws in their 10 away matches in the league this season, only drawing at Chelsea and Arsenal. Liverpool are unbeaten in four matches against Manchester City, winning three and drawing one. In 164 meetings between the two, Liverpool have won 79 and City 43.
This might sound silly, but I'd be shocked if Manchester City won this game. I'd be shocked. I just can't see how they can stop Liverpool from scoring goals. As the game goes on, I just don't see how Liverpool don't go on to win it.
My only question of Liverpool would be how they play it. Do they go out and think that if they draw they've probably taken Manchester City out of the equation? Or do they go for the jugular and win the Premier League on Thursday night?
If Liverpool lose the game, it's majorly game on because it's about how they react after, too, and they wouldn't be invincible any more, they wouldn't be quite as good as they thought they were. But I can't see them not getting anything.
City look all over the place at the back. I don't really see their shape. They're great on the ball, but they close down quickly for so long and then drop off and if they do that against Liverpool and they get through one line, they've got too much pace for City to deal with.
As the game goes on, City get more open and they've struggled with clean sheets recently. Even when they're 1-0 up and cruising against Southampton, and it's a walk in the park, Charlie Austin's through one-on-one and that could change it. They could have had a penalty against them too, I've seen lesser penalties given.
Man City have spent millions and millions of pounds, they're buying full-backs for £50m to play just when they need them to play. You can't be spending that kind of money and be 10 points behind before the FA Cup third round.
Win the game and go four behind and I think it's game on, it's what everyone will be hoping for unless you're a Liverpool fan… Well, you feel sorry for the Manchester United fans too, what do they want?! Really they needed Tottenham to beat Wolves!
Source: Sky Sports