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Liverpool will head to the Etihad Stadium this weekend searching for a win that could propel it back into the Premier League title race, but the pundits are in disagreement over what the result will be.
Pep Guardiola will be taking charge of his 1000th game as a manager but Arne Slot will be hoping to spoil the party by beating Manchester City again. His side won 2-0 in Manchester in February with goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
"The big one, and I’ll be honest, I don’t have a clue what’s going to happen!" Harry Redknapp told Bet Victor. "It’s two sides that have been inconsistent, Liverpool especially, but the two who look the most likely challengers to Arsenal.
"City are becoming a bit of a one-man team; Erling Haaland is just in amazing form. You’ve always got a chance when you have a striker this good and this confident.
"I thought Liverpool were excellent against Real Madrid and to be perfectly honest, the scoreline flattered Real. That should give the team a lift, but most of their problems have been on the road and we still haven’t seen how they’ll get on in these big away games.
"I’m going to go with City, just. City are always to hard to beat at the Etihad and Liverpool have struggled in away games over the last month.
"I can’t always pick Haaland for my one to watch, so I’m going with Rayan Cherki. This lad has had some injury issues since he signed but what a talented boy he is.
"He started last week and created a couple of goals and I can see him creating even more chances for the main man up top. That’s a scary thought."
Alan Shearer, though, is going for a draw. The Newcastle United legend believes there won't be much between the sides, which would be a win for Arsenal.
"These two have set the pace for so long," he told Betfair. "It's been an amazing rivalry and will be a fabulous occasion and a great game.
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"Both teams will be desperate to win and Arsenal will be desperate for a draw to keep both at bay. I think it'll be a score draw.
"Liverpool like to play a high line which will suit Haaland, but they had so much more protection in midweek against Real Madrid and more of it last weekend.
"They have to carry that on which will be tough with Man City in decent form and Haaland looks unplayable at the moment. There are interesting battles all over the pitch. Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate vs Haaland is one I'm really looking forward too."
Paul Merson, meanwhile, completed the set of predictions, going with a Liverpool victory.
"Virgil van Dijk will be up against Erling Haaland and I think he will win that battle against the City striker," Merson predicted. "If you look at individual center-backs, Van Dijk is the Rolls-Royce and I believe he can handle Haaland.
"If Conor Bradley had Vinicius Jr in his back pocket, he won't be worried about facing Jeremy Doku or Savinho either. Liverpool will also have too much for City to handle when they go forward.
"I don't think City are great defensively. Even in that win over Bournemouth, they were far from convincing at the back. Don't get me wrong, City are bang in form, but they are just not the team they were three or four years ago."
Liverpool.com says: It is a very hard game to predict. Manchester City has been better this season, but if Liverpool plays at its best, it has enough quality to pick up what would be a vital three points.
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