Man City are the next challenge on Liverpool’s path to the Premier League title.
The Reds travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to face the Premier League champions looking to bounce back from dropping points against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
Lee Dixon has stated that Liverpool are showing signs that they are struggling at present, and a trip to Man City is not the easiest way to try and regain some momentum.
Cody Gakpo remains for Liverpool ahead of the weekend after missing the Merseyside club’s last two games, however, Man City have fitness issues of their own.
Pep Guardiola saw John Stones pick up an injury against Real Madrid, which follows problems for Erling Haaland, who could also be set to miss their clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
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Erling Haaland’s abysmal record against Liverpool
Haaland picked up a knock at the end of Man City’s win over Newcastle on Saturday and it resulted in the striker missing the Manchester club’s trip to Madrid on Wednesday night.
The Norwegian star told Guardiola that he was not ready to play against Real Madrid, which the Spanish coach explained to the press after the contest.
“Probably, with the images (scans) we have done, it’s fine but he has discomfort walking, for example with stairs, and we spoke yesterday and this morning and he said he’s not ready, he doesn’t feel good,” the Man City boss said via Sky Sports.
Haaland is one, if not the best, strikers in the world and the 24-year-old would walk into any team in Europe. Despite this, his absence for Sunday’s clash may be a bad thing for Liverpool.
The Norwegian has a terrible record against the Reds and in recent contests, the Merseyside club have handled him very well, with the Man City superstar even admitting to ESPN FC that he struggled to win duels against Virgil van Dijk in the past.
Haaland has never been on the winning team against Liverpool in the Premier League having faced the Reds four times while winning only once across eight matches in all competitions.
The Norwegian striker hit the back of the net on just two occasions against the Reds since moving to Manchester, with his only Premier League goal coming in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad last season.
Omar Marmoush played up front against Real Madrid in the 24-year-old’s absence and the Egyptian’s attributes are ones that have caused Liverpool problems in the past.
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Man City star Omar Marmoush could haunt Liverpool
Marmoush joined Man City in January after starring for Eintracht Frankfurt during the first half of the 2024/25 campaign.
The forward announced himself to the Premier League last weekend as Marmoush scored an impressive hat-trick against Newcastle.
Liverpool showed interest in Marmoush ahead of his latest move to Manchester but would not make an official move for the 26-year-old.
That may backfire on Sunday as the Egyptian star has the potential to cause the Reds havoc as his speed in transitions is something Liverpool’s defence do not like.
It remains to be seen how Guardiola’s team sets up against the Premier League leaders, but the Spanish coach could find joy in using Marmoush and Savinho on the counter.
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