Game Week 26 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Manchester City again

Manchester City hosts Liverpool in a crucial title race showdown. Can City bounce back, or will Liverpool seize the moment? A thrilling clash awaits.

Liverpool's tie against Manchester City isn't a title decider between the two this time but, it could have a huge bearing on the title race. (Photo credit: Premier League)

 Manchester City vs Liverpool

Etihad Stadium

5:30 pm

Liverpool saw Arsenal press the self-destruct button on Saturday with a limp performance at home against West Ham; now it’s advantage Liverpool again in the title race.

Manchester City also saw Chelsea fail to win at Aston Villa, which means a win at home against Liverpool pulls the champions clear in the race for fourth while also keeping an eye on a potential third spot; the Cityzens can take things up from here.

Away from the title race for a moment, Liverpool’s recent form hasn’t inspired confidence, but they can rest easy, face Manchester City without pressure, and grind out a result that can put them in a great place to go on and achieve their ultimate goal for the season.

Manchester City’s Champions League run has come to an end; there’s no shame in going out at the hands of Real Madrid, to be honest, considering their pedigree and City’s recent slump. However, Pep Guardiola needs to get a grip and find creative ways to rise from the ashes of his current tragedy.

What is at stake here? Beyond the three points that both sides have to fight for, Manchester City has never lost at home to Liverpool under Pep Guardiola; there’s that to protect, and the incidents at the reverse fixture, which led Guardiola to remind Anfield fans of his six Premier League titles.

In Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, you could feel a sense of fear and fatigue; even the Liverpool fan base suddenly started nursing a fear they could not explain. Is there a chance they could bottle this title to Arsenal? Not sure Arsenal is interested in taking advantage; however, Liverpool must not slip up.

Manchester City continues to sweat on the availability of Erling Haaland, who sat on the bench throughout the loss at the Santiago Bernabeu due to something he felt in the 4-0 annihilation of Newcastle United last weekend; he will be a great miss if he can’t face the Reds.

Liverpool also has yellow flags on Cody Gakpo; his goal opened scoring against the Cityzens in the reverse fixture at Anfield, and he has been in inspired form this calendar year; Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota will fill in while Darwin Nunez hopes to put his horrible miss against Villa behind him.

Manchester City needs a win here to spark a huge resurgence, but they have to go through a Liverpool that must pick a result to avoid a downward spiral. It’s Mohammed Salah against a struggling Manchester City defence on Sunday; let the show begin.

Verdict: Liverpool to win.