FOOTBALLLiverpool vs Manchester City prediction
The context
It's the pick of the Premier League's return. Manchester City, top of the table with five wins from five, travel to Anfield to face an unbeaten Liverpool side. It is also the first big duel between Enzo Maresca, Pep Guardiola's successor at City, and Andoni Iraola, who took over at Liverpool this summer.
Team news and form
Manchester City have made a perfect start under Maresca, led by Erling Haaland, the league's top scorer, and Antoine Semenyo. City also beat Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final last April, with a Haaland hat-trick.
Liverpool have become a more solid and compact side under Iraola. But the Reds endured a difficult international break: Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both returned from international duty injured and are major doubts. Without Isak, their top scorer, Liverpool could struggle for options up front.
Our verdict
City arrive full of confidence against a Liverpool side missing key attacking players. But Anfield remains a fortress, and Iraola's Liverpool are hard to beat. We back the double chance draw or Manchester City (X2): City have what it takes to avoid defeat at Anfield.