Man City team Vs. Liverpool predicted as Rodri decision made

Manchester City hosts Liverpool in a high-stakes game near the top of the Premier League later today.

As if any extra incentive were needed, both teams were given some as Arsenal dropped points away to Sunderland on Saturday.

City knows that a win over Liverpool will move the team to within four points of the Gunners, while a win for Liverpool would put Arne Slot's men five points behind the league leader.

Liverpool's recent wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid have instilled confidence in the team that was missing during the recent run of six defeats in seven games.

City, though, is expected to provide the Reds with a sterner test than it did last season, when Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai scored in a routine 2-0 win for Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's men have won six of their last seven games in all competitions, and look to be getting back to their best after a relatively disappointing 2024-25 season.

City does not have too many injury concerns going into the game, but one of them does surround the team's best midfielder – Rodri.

The Spaniard did not figure against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last week as he did not feel 100 per cent after dealing with some fitness issues of late.

He has not categorically been ruled out of the game against Liverpool but it seems as though there is a good chance he will be missing.

Mateo Kovacic is City's only other injury concern – he is currently recovering from an ankle problem.

From back to front, we expect Gianluigi Donnarumma to start in goal for City, with a back four in front of him comprising Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O'Reilly.

Nico Gonzalez drew praise from Pep Guardiola this week for how impressively he has deputized for the absent Rodri of late, and he is likely to be joined in midfield by Bernardo Silva.

Rayan Cherki impressed in last weekend's win over Bournemouth, but Tijjani Reijnders might provide more stability against an opponent as dangerous as Liverpool.

Jeremy Doku should get the nod off the left flank, while Phil Foden and Erling Haaland complete the team after both men got on the scoresheet against Dortmund in midweek.

Predicted City team Vs. Liverpool: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol; O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Bernardo, Reijnders, Doku, Foden, Haaland

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