Man City is going head to head with Liverpool on Sun 23 Feb 2025, 4:30pm, Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.
Recent status
Manchester City:
Manchester City has been stable recently, with 4 wins and 1 draw in the past 5 league games. The offensive end is in full swing, and Haaland continues to lead the scorer list.
The home performance is particularly strong, with a perfect record at home this season, averaging more than 3 goals per game.
De Bruyne and Rodri’s control in the midfield is still the team’s core advantage.
Liverpool:
Liverpool’s recent state has recovered, with 3 wins and 2 draws in the past 5 league games, and the forward combination of Salah and Nunez is getting better.
The away performance is slightly ups and downs, but it can often inspire stronger combat effectiveness when facing strong teams.
There are certain hidden dangers on the defensive end. Although Van Dijk’s state has recovered, the overall defense is still not stable enough.
Tactical analysis
Manchester City:
Guardiola’s team will continue to focus on ball possession, tearing open the opponent’s defense through fast passes in the midfield and breakthroughs on the wing.
Haaland’s impact and Foden and B席’s flexible running will be the key to the offense.
On the defensive end, we need to pay attention to Liverpool’s counterattack speed, especially the rapid advancement of Salah and Nunez.
Liverpool:
Klopp’s team will adopt a high-pressure pressing tactic, trying to create threats through interception and rapid counterattacks in the midfield.
Salah’s breakthrough and cross on the right will be Liverpool’s main offensive means, and Arnold’s assists will also be key.
On the defensive end, we need to limit Haaland’s receiving and running space, while paying attention to the long-range threat of Manchester City’s midfield.
Key players
Manchester City:
Haaland: This season is in hot form, and his goal efficiency will directly affect the result of the game.
De Bruyne: The core of the midfield, his passing and organizational skills are the engine of Manchester City’s offense.
Rodri: Defensive midfielder, his interception and ball control ability are crucial to Manchester City’s offense and defense conversion.
Liverpool:
Salah: Liverpool’s top scorer, his speed and finishing ability are the team’s biggest threat.
Arnold: The core of the right side attack and defense, his crossing and long-range shooting ability will cause trouble for Manchester City.
Van Dijk: The leader of the defense, his defensive performance will directly affect the defensive stability of Liverpool.
Historical confrontations
In the past 5 confrontations between the two sides, Manchester City has achieved 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss, slightly superior.
In the two rounds of confrontation last season, Manchester City beat Liverpool 4-1 at home, while Liverpool beat Manchester City 1-0 at home.
Injuries and suspensions
Manchester City:
De Bruyne (injured, may return)
Stones (injured)
Liverpool:
Thiago (injured)
Robertson (injured)
Prediction
Score prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
Game trend: Manchester City will take the initiative with its home advantage and strong offensive firepower, but Liverpool’s counterattack and Salah’s personal ability will also pose a threat to Manchester City. The game may be very intense, and Manchester City is expected to win in the end.