After an engrossing week of international football, two Northern giants, and several returning stars, look set to steal the show in the Premier League on Saturday evening at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.
With Chelsea having fallen off the grid and dropped down to 16th in the league, the Premier League title race looks wide open.
In the absence of the reigning champions gone but not wholly forgotten, title contenders Manchester City lead the pack ahead of week 13, but they are yet to truly assert themselves over their rivals. After 12 matches, City are on 26 points, level with second-placed Arsenal, only one ahead of surprise-package Leicester City and two clear of neighbours Manchester United.
Between now and Christmas, Manuel Pellegrini will be desperate to pull away from the chasing pack and establish the Citizens as the champions elect. That task continues again this weekend against Liverpool sides who are far from the pinnacle of the division and sit down in 10th on 17 points.
The early optimism of the Jurgen Klopp reign was dented a little with the loss at home to Crystal Palace ahead of the international window, and the German coach will be desperate to avoid a second consecutive defeat away at the Etihad Stadium.
The fortunes of both sides over the coming months will be dependent to some degree at least on the fitness of their two star frontmen, both of whom could return this weekend.
Sergio Aguero has scored six in eight so far this season in the Premier League, but hasn’t featured since the beginning of October, when he scored five in the demolition of Newcastle United. If he isn’t fit, City fans will be hoping that Raheem Sterling who completed an acrimonious move from Anfield to the Etihad Stadium this summer can step up and star for the citizens.
This would surely be a nightmare scenario for Liverpool fans, who will be hoping that a hero of their own (and a former City player) will be able to make his first contribution under Klopp.
Daniel Sturridge’s 2014-15 campaign was decimated due to injury, he scored only four in the league last season but had bagged two in three this term before fitness concerns arose once again.
Both men have been tipped to return for Saturday’s clash, but which of the pair will prove decisive in this heavyweight clash?
Some basic match facts:
• Man City have won four and lost none of their last six Premier League games against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
• The Reds have lost just one of their last six Premier League away games (W2 D3 L1), but that came in Manchester at Old Trafford v Man Utd.
• Liverpool have scored just 13 Premier League goals, the joint-lowest tally of any Premier League season for the Reds after 12 matches.
• This is Manchester City’s third best start to a Premier League season after 2011-12 (34 points) and 2012-13 (28).
• Manchester City have fired in the most shots on target of any team in the Premier League (83).
• Liverpool have the worst chance conversion rate of any team in the Premier League (10.5%).
• Philippe Coutinho has scored three goals in four Premier League appearances against Man City.
• Only opposing goalkeeper Joe Hart (14) has kept more Premier League clean sheets in 2015 than Simon Mignolet (13).
• Man City have allowed their opponents just 28 shots on target this season, fewer than any other team in the Premier League.
• Philippe Coutinho has scored as many goals in his last two Premier League appearances under Jurgen Klopp as his final 18 under Brendan Rodgers.
