What: English Premier League
Who: Liverpool vs Manchester City
When: Sunday 13th April, 2014, at 13:30 UK Time
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Now Or Never For Reds?
The biggest match of the season in the Premier League takes place today when Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield. This promises to be an enthralling clash which will have real bearing on the title race. For Liverpool, this is arguably their biggest league fixture in a quarter of a century. Without a league title since 1990, Brendan Rodgers’ club are in their best position in recent times to end that long championship drought.
Winners of nine straight matches on the bounce, the Reds will become champions if they can manage five more wins to close out the season. Their run-in is perhaps the toughest of all the challengers with two massive matches against Manchester City and Chelsea still to play. The good news for Liverpool supporters is both those matches will be home affairs and there has been an amazing atmosphere in and around Anfield recently as the belief is there for the Merseyside giants to win the Premier League.
Though some have tried to downplay this match, Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho was quite clear this week on what he and his team-mates think about the importance of the Manchester City encounter. “We will have to see on D-Day who is better prepared to take the points. Of course this could be the biggest league match Liverpool have played in 24 years”, said the French centre-back.
Favourites Look To Gain Edge
Manchester City’s blistering form in 2014 and their attractive attacking style have made them title favourites even in such a close race. They trail Liverpool by four points, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side have two matches in hand. A win at Anfield would be a result that would swing the race decidedly in their favour.
Results recently suggest that Liverpool will have their hands full at Anfield. Manchester City have actually had a pretty terrible season with regard to injuries, however their deep squad has coped well. Even without the services of Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and others for long stretches, the Citizens have had little trouble in keeping pace with the rest of the pack. They have been here before two seasons ago and will know what it takes to finish as champions.
James Milner indicated that while Liverpool have some serious momentum, his side are ready for anything. “It’s still in our hands because if we win seven games we’ll be the champions”, said the England international. “Liverpool are in the box seat because they are on top and have the points already on board so for me they have to be the favorites as things stand. We have the ability and experience to finish the job.”
Recent form
Liverpool:
Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland (26/03; Premier League)
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (30/03; Premier League)
West Ham 1-2 Liverpool (06/04; Premier League)
Manchester City:
Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City (25/03; Premier League)
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City (29/03; Premier League)
Manchester City 4-1 Southampton (05/04; Premier League)
Key absences
Liverpool: Jose Enrique
Manchester City: Matija Nastasic
Players to watch
Liverpool – Steven Gerrard: Liverpool’s captain has been a driving force for his team during a crucial juncture of the season. Gerrard has thirteen goals this season, the most he has scored since 2008/09. It won’t bother the England midfielder that ten of those goals have come from penalties. In fact that statistic is a testament to his ability to perform under pressure as evidenced by his two penalty-kick goals last weekend which gave the Reds a crucial victory at West Ham.
Manchester City – Yaya Toure: The three-time African Football of the Year has enjoyed a career-best season this term. Toure has a whopping 21 goals in all competitions easily the most productive in his distinguished career. The Ivory Coast man has literally and figuratively been a giant in the Manchester City midfield this season and the team have reaped the benefits of Pellegrini pushing him further forward. In a fantastic side, Toure has arguably been the most outstanding player this campaign.
Match Prediction
There will be great worldwide interest in this match, which is easily the biggest of the Premier League season thus far. It’s hard to see this result not playing a decisive role in who wins the title. Chelsea may still have their say, but in all likelihood the winner of this match will be favourites for the championship, with a draw benefitting Manchester City. Liverpool have been in imperious form at Anfield this season, losing only once way back in September to Southampton. Manchester City’s away form is much improved though and they will fancy their chances. The difference may be the raucous home support which will surely be in full voice throughout hoping to spur on their side to a huge victory. With Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge set to test a Manchester City backline which has difficulties with pacy attackers, a Liverpool win could be the outcome. Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City.
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