Man City against Liverpool is more than "just" a derby. Man City vs Liverpool has been the biggest game of the season for the last 5-6 seasons. It's not a game that matters for a week and then everyone moves on. It is a game that matters throughout the season. A game that can change a season. As a crazy Liverpool fan myself, this game matters more to me than any other game has so far this season. The confidence I have at the moment, is the type of confidence that says, "Yeah, we can do Man City in their own backyard." There are a few issues though. Top of that list is the lack of 6 we have. Yes, we do have an amazing front three, maybe one of the best of in Europe, we also have a class group of attacking minded midfielders, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Mac Allister are all quality attacking midfielders, but that last option is where our midfield falls apart. Jurgen Klopp's insistence to play Mac Allister as a 6 is killing us. By trade, Mac Allister is a 10, he can play 8 too, but 6, no way. Mac Allister has already conceded 24 fouls and picked up 5 yellow cards in the process. Mac Allister had to sit out the game against Brentford giving Wataru Endo the chance to step in at 6, to be fair to him, he put quite the shift in and did his job sweeping up and moving the ball. I do think that our midfield consisting of Szoboszlai, Endo and Gakpo is quite good against smaller teams, no disrespect to Brentford, but I don't think that will work against City. Gakpo will get run rings around whilst defending and that's an issue. For him, I would bring Curtis Jones in. Endo is a bit slow too, he is good but is he ready for the biggest game of the season, I think not. The only issue is, I don't think Mac Allister can play at 6 either. If Bajcetic was fit, I would have said he should play, but he isn't and that's a real shame. I guess Mac Allister will have to do. I think Jarell Quansah or Joel Matip should come in for Konate as at the moment he is looking quite shaky. Onto Man City now and it is unknown if Haaland will be fit to play, as of course he picked up an injury over the international break. The Man City team other than that is quite obvious, and I think Rico Lewis might make an appearance after his England debut. Ederson may also not play after picking up a knock and having to leave the Brazil squad early, but it isn't confirmed so keep an eye out for that. Kovacic, Nunes, Stones and Ake may all have to miss the game as well as they seem to be injured too. This game could go either way but I predict a 2-2 draw.
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