Luis Diaz will return to the Liverpool starting lineup for the Premier League game against Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
Liverpool have dropped points in two of their last three Premier League outings against Everton and Aston Villa. They will not want to slip up anymore as they get set to lock horns with Manchester City at the Etihad. With Arsenal losing to West Ham United on Saturday, this is a golden opportunity for Liverpool to increase the lead at the top of the table.
It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can get the job done. Manchester City have not been at their best this season, but they remain a formidable outfit, especially at home. They will look to dent Liverpool’s title hopes here, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
Liverpool will be without Joe Gomez due to a hamstring injury. Conor Bradley picked up a knock against Aston Villa, and he is sidelined as well. Cody Gakpo has missed the last two matches with a minor injury, and manager Arne Slot, as revealed in his pre-match press conference, is unsure whether he will be ready for this one.
Slot said during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, “I hope [he’s available], I’m not 100 per cent sure. He hasn’t trained with the team yet. Maybe he does a bit today. I don’t know exactly. It will be a close call.”
Liverpool will shape up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester City, with Alisson Becker in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will continue as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. At the heart of the defence, Virgil van Dijk will star alongside Ibrahima Konate.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will add creativity, control and defensive cover to the side. Dominik Szoboszlai will add creativity and drive from the central areas, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack.
Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will start on the flanks, and they will add goals and creativity from the wide areas. Diogo Jota will lead the line for Liverpool against Manchester City, with Darwin Nunez an option on the bench.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
