LIV vs MNC: Match preview kick off time and injury updates
Anfield is primed for a clash of Premier League titans this Sunday, as Liverpool takes on a struggling Manchester City in a pivotal match.
A victory for Arne Slot’s Liverpool could widen their impressive lead at the top of the table to 11 points, significantly undermining City’s aspirations for a fifth consecutive league title, even with just a third of the season completed.
Liverpool heads into the match buoyed by a significant European success, having recently defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League. Despite a rare penalty miss from Mohamed Salah, they secured a 2-0 win, thanks to Alexis Mac Allister’s sharp finish, Cody Gakpo’s accurate header, and a crucial penalty save by Caoimhin Kelleher against Kylian Mbappe. This victory maintained their flawless start in the 2024-25 Champions League and kept them at the summit of both domestic and European football.
Earlier in the Premier League, Slot’s team showcased their determination by overcoming Southampton in a tense encounter between the league’s top and bottom teams. A second-half brace from Salah prevented any potential upset and extended Liverpool’s winning streak to six games across all competitions. Notably, they have scored multiple goals in each of those matches and kept clean sheets in their last three home games against Real Madrid, Aston Villa, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Slot’s influence has been immediate and impressive, making him one of the few managers to achieve 10 wins in their first 12 Premier League matches. Liverpool’s recent history against reigning champions is also promising, as none of their last six managers have lost their inaugural league match against the titleholders.
In contrast, Manchester City arrives at Anfield amid an unusual crisis. Pep Guardiola’s squad recently suffered a shocking collapse against Feyenoord in the Champions League, squandering a 3-0 lead in the final 15 minutes, resulting in a surprising 3-3 draw. This outcome marked their sixth consecutive game without a win across all competitions.
Guardiola, visibly rattled, faced the media with scratches on his face and later clarified his comments regarding self-harm. City’s domestic troubles continued with a disheartening 4-0 defeat to Tottenham last weekend, putting them at risk of falling out of the top four.
Although their away form remains strong, with goals scored in 26 consecutive road games, their recent defensive frailties are alarming. City has not lost to Liverpool in their last four encounters, yet Guardiola’s win rate against the Reds is the lowest he has against any team he has faced at least five times, raising further concerns about their chances.
Kickoff Time: 5 PM Nigerian time
Date: Sunday, December 1st, 2024
Venue: Anfield
Since Arne Slot took over the managerial role at Liverpool, The Reds have been hard to break down thanks in no small part to the defensive partnership between Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool’s defensive solidity was evident on Wednesday night when they prevented a star-studded Real Madrid team from finding the back of the net.
Unfortunately for the Premier League leaders, they will be without one of the key components of their defense this Sunday when they face Manchester City.
According to fresh reports from ‘DaveOCKOP’ via X, Konate is set to be sidelined for 5-6 weeks through injury.
This means the Frenchman will not just miss the City game but will also be absent when Liverpool play against Newcastle, Everton and Girona in the Champions League.
Alongside Van Dijk, Konate has played an important role in Liverpool’s rise to the top of both the EPL and UCL tables this season, so it’s expected that his absence will be greatly felt in their coming fixtures.
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