Liverpool - Manchester City preview: recent form, team news, head-to-head, Salah vs Haaland…

It feels like an outrageous question to ask, but could the Premier League title race be over before the end of November? If Liverpool defeat Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday (November 30), The Reds will move 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola’s team and at least maintain their nine-point advantage over Chelsea, Arsenal and surprise package Brighton.

Liverpool’s Slot machine

Few would have expected such a seamless transition when Arne Slot replaced Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool manager. Since the Dutchman arrived, the Merseysiders have won 17 of 19 games in all competitions, with their only defeat coming at home to Nottingham Forest.

As well as being eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid means Liverpool are also the only team to have a perfect record after five games in the league phase of the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola’s worst run as a coach

As for City, the wheels have come off in spectacular fashion. After opening the season with a 13-game unbeaten sequence (14 including the Community Shield), they suffered five consecutive defeats, the first such run in Guardiola’s managerial career.

In midweek, City looked certain to end their winless streak after taking a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League, only to concede three late goals, which left Guardiola literally scratching his head.

Liverpool team news: injury update vs Manchester City

Sunday’s game is expected to come just too soon for Liverpool quartet Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa, who should all be back in action before much longer.

Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley both picked up injuries in the victory over Real Madrid, with “let’s wait and see” Slot’s assessment of their availability.

Manchester City team news: injury update vs Liverpool

City will again be without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who may not return from an ACL tear until next season. Mateo Kovacic, his potential replacement, is also out, along with wingers Jérémy Doku and Oscar Bobb.

John Stones, who didn’t face Feyenoord, is a doubt, although fellow central defender Rúben Dias was back on the bench in midweek and Kevin De Bruyne could come into contention to start after several recent substitute appearances following his recovery from a groin injury.

Mohamed Salah vs Erling Haaland

Mohamed Salah is in red-hot form, with 10 goals in his last 14 appearances in all competitions. The Egyptian is the second top goalscorer in the Premier League (10 goals) behind City’s Erling Haaland, although the pair are currently on different trajectories.

The Norwegian started the season in blistering fashion, scoring 10 goals in five Premier League games. However, prior to a Champions League double against Feyenoord, he has netted just twice in his last seven league appearances.

Liverpool - Manchester City: head-to-head record

Liverpool and City have each won three of the last 10 meetings between the teams, with four draws. However, the Sky Blues have only won once at Anfield in 23 attempts, with Guardiola coming out on top just once in nine games on Merseyside.

Although there will still be 23 Premier League games to go after Sunday, that record will surely have to change if City are to win a seventh league title in eighth years and stop Liverpool clinching their first since the covid-19 hit 2019/20 season.

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