An epic two-way race for the English Premier League title could well be decided by the outcome of this Sunday’s blockbuster clash between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad.
Almost exactly eight months to the day since the 2021-22 season got underway, it potentially all comes down to this: one massive battle between City and Liverpool (17:30 start).
Each team has played 30 games, with City just a solitary log point ahead of Liverpool, who in turn are as many as 13 points in front of third-placed Chelsea.
So, there is quite literally some distance between the log-leaders and the next best, but there is virtually nothing to choose between the Sky Blues and Reds.
Liverpool come into this all-important league clash after claiming a handy 3-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, while Pep Guardiola’s side overcame Atletico Madrid on the same night.
The last time these two teams met in the league, they played out to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield in early October, and there is every chance that a similar result could be on the cards this Sunday.
Notably, over the past four seasons it’s Manchester City who have held the upper hand, winning three and drawing three of the seven matches, while leading the scoring 14-8.
Importantly, the Etihad has also been a fortress in battles against Liverpool, who last won a league game at the venue in 2015, before Guardiola took charge.
Nevertheless, Jurgen Klopp will be thrilled that he has a virtually fully-fit squad to pick from, with midfielder Fabinho expected to be available despite sustaining a knock to the head in Tuesday’s Champions League outing.
In the opposite camp, Ruben Dias is still expected to be out with a hamstring injury, and the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota will relish facing a City defence without the centre-back.
As fate would have it, the two powerhouse clubs will face each twice in quick succession, first in the Premier League on Sunday, and then in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley the following weekend. The Champions League final on 28 May is not out of the question either.
That game at Etihad Stadium is going to be absolutely pivotal in the title race, though, particularly considering that there aren’t too many other formidable fixtures standing in the way of either side.
Liverpool do face a tricky clash against Manchester United on 19 April, but they will be at Anfield for that encounter, as they will be when hosting Tottenham Hotspur on 7 May.Those are two potential “banana peel” match-ups that the Reds will also be wary of as they target a clean run to the end of the season.
With that in mind, City do appear to have an easier schedule over the final few rounds of action, although they will need to successfully negotiate an away trip to face seventh-placed West Ham in mid-May.
With Guardiola’s team still just ahead of Liverpool, and able to look forward to home-ground advantage when the two teams next go into battle, they do still remain in pole position to clinch yet another title.
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