Manchester City vs Liverpool Preview
Posted on | October 4, 2008 | 9 Comments
Liverpool will look to keep up their recent good run when they travel to Eastlands to play Mark Hughes’ Manchester City. The Reds are second in the league with fourteen points, and are yet to be defeated this season.
Liverpool beat PSV Eindhoven comfortably in their midweek Champions League game. Steven Gerrard scored his 100th goal for the club in the tie, which also saw Robbie Keane open his scoring account. The attacking triumvirate of Keane, Fernando Torres and Gerrard will be the biggest threat for City, who might have to do without the services of skipper Richard Dunne for this clash. Rested Javier Mascherano should return to the squad, and we will see Xabi Alonso drop to the bench. Kuyt and Riera are expected to take up the wide areas, and Riera vs Zabaleta will be an interesting battle of wits. Ryan Babel is likely to start on the bench. Benitez is not expected to make any other change to the side that cruised past PSV. Liverpool are high on confidence, with recent victories giving them the look of a team in form.
Manchester City seem to be a bit unpredictable. They recently thrashed Portsmouth 0-6, but lost to Wigan Athletic last weekend. The penalty that Zaki converted was debatable, but there were a few problems exposed. Zaki and Heskey were strong, and Fernando Torres’ arial threat should not be discounted. City beat Omonia Nicosia in the first round of the UEFA Cup on Thursday, with Elano and Shaun Wright Philips scoring. City were a bit lacklustre in the first half, but the goals came exactly when they were required. Martin Petrov has recovered, but will mostly have a role as an impact player. City are eighth in the table with 9 points, and have only lost against Chelsea at home this season. Michael Johnson is not fit, and we should see City persist with Elano and Ireland. Robinho, who set up the goal for Elano against Omonia, and Jo will be up against Skrtel, Carragher and co.- the meanest defence in the Premiership. In their six games so far, Liverpool have only conceded two. Should Richard Dunne miss out, City will not only be without their first choice skipper, but also the player who prevented Liverpool from scoring the last time the Reds came here. That was in December 2007, and the game ended in a goalless stalemate despite Liverpool having as many as seventeen shots on goal.
I’d be tempted to go for a narrow win to Liverpool or a draw. A 2-1 to Liverpool, with Torres, Gerrard and Jo scoring. Wright Philips, Keane and Robinho are the other likely scorers.
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9 Responses to “Manchester City vs Liverpool Preview”
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October 4th, 2008 @ 1:54 AM
I don’t think Liverpool can come here and repeat Chelsea’s 3-1.
A 2-1 maybe…City’s new owners would want them to put up a more spirited fight.
October 4th, 2008 @ 1:56 AM
I remember the 0-0. Took place just before the beginning of the new year. But that was the time we could not get our act together and City somehow managed to keep us out.
Should win here. A draw wouldn’t be bad either.
October 4th, 2008 @ 2:03 AM
Anybody fancy this game to be a defensive stalemate ?
Another 0-0 ?
October 4th, 2008 @ 6:00 PM
It’s going to be a close game, either side can nick it by a goal. While most think it’s going to be an under-ish scoreline I believe it may be Over if either side gets a goal inside the first 20th minutes of play.
October 5th, 2008 @ 4:04 AM
Benitez has said that money won’t transform City into a club with trophies.
United beat Blackburn last night…let us see whether the blue half of Manchester can emulate the red one.
October 6th, 2008 @ 1:06 PM
Liverpool claw back from 0-2 down to win it 3-2 FT. It’s still early to say money won’t transform City into a club with trophies. The new owner came in late and only managed to snatch Robinho, it will be VERY interesting when the transfer window opens again!
If Chelsea’s millions can get them two trophies on the trot, why not Manchester City? A few super star signings and perhaps a manager of Mourinho caliber can give City fans something to shout about!
October 7th, 2008 @ 12:33 AM
One of the best games I’ve seen Liverpool play for a long, long time.
Their first half performance was listless, but the second half was excellent. City had themselves to blame though- Zabaleta’s sending off made matters easier for Liverpool. I believe that had he remained on the pitch, the game would have probably ended in a 2-2.
October 26th, 2008 @ 9:03 AM
turned out to be a great match
October 28th, 2008 @ 6:05 AM
It certainly did FB