Still don't know whats with Sané... He had a great game and goal against Arsenal and than he is not even in the squad the next two games. Don't understand Pep's reasoning...
Terrible game from both sides. I would be encouraged as a Liverpool fan at the way they ground a result out. This was a different way of playing but they still got a win. City on the other hand look far away form being a title contender.
@SteveHyland I definitely think that was our gameplan - normally we defend in a 4-3-2-1, but today it was more of a 4-1-4-1. Once we got to half time ahead we pretty much parked the bus for the rest of the game. And now, we have 3 clean sheets out of our last 4 games and only 1 goal conceded, and we've scored 9. Great stuff
@sarigginsUSA- Yeah and there was no need to do anything else being a goal up. City are a team who need to outgun oppositions to win, their defence is the worst of the big teams, yet they didn't even offer much offensively. Liverpool still need defensive players in this window, but the signs are more promising than for City.
@glenbayern I wouldn't say that. The problems Guardiola is facing are inevitable when you go from Boateng, Lahm, Alaba to Zabaleta, Kolarov, Otamendi. This substantial difference in quality is too massive to be counterbalanced by tactics. Also I had the impression that both teams were quite fatigued.
@BeautifulLoser Definitely, and Sadio Mane has been looking really tired for weeks now, he's barely able to even sprint. Honestly hope he gets a minor injury for a few weeks so that he doesn't have to go to the African Cup of Nations and can instead get a bit of a breather.
@sarigginsUSA I guess that all Liverpool fans share your hope. The schedule of the African Cup of Nations is a major disaster for the seasonal planning of the clubs that have to rely on African players. Almost all those players are either tired out or injured for the rest of the season. You can see that every time in Serie A.
Bravo has been a bargain for mancity, his first season performances are almost surpassing the performances from de Gea in his first season, ballon d'or incoming
@ball Watch his first premiere league season performances, especially the standard situations, corners and free kicks, he just didn't have the courage to attack the ball in the box - he was U-21 at this time.
Now de Gea has bulked up and is a presence in the box which I cannot say for Claudio Bravo and his already an established footballer at age 33.
Manchester City has conceded in every away game except the last game to Hull. And coming up against food opponents who play direct football. You can expect them Liverpool to score 2 goals. Although Liverpool plays direct don't forget thier defense and Goalkeepers are worse. And expecting Manchester City I think a 2-2 is on the cards.
If I was a betting man I would put my money on draw although Liverpool might want to open the gap and have home favour I would expect 3+2/2-2.
What a way to end the year, there simply couldn't have been better match to choose from. It's usually unwise to say "goals are guaranteed" as these matches often turn out to be rather defensive and not that entertaining. But two error prone goal keepers, two shaky defenses and two attacking sides should lead to very intensive and high scoring show! Both teams are going to have chances but the one who converts them better obviously will take the upper hand. Against Chelsea, City had the chances to kill the game but ended up loosing which could easily be the case in this match too so much is down to Aguero and other City forwards. Coutinho missing this one is a shame, but both Sturridge or Origi are good enough change the game too. A lot is also down to Fernandinho and Henderson; how they can move the ball and especially how they can stop opposition's counter attacks. With Can and Lallana beside Henderson, I'd see Liverpool as more trustworthy side. 3-2 for Liverpool.
Ey Howzit admin, would u please tell me which bookmaker offers an exquisite odds in South Africa.. because i'm from S.A and all the bookmakers suggested by whoscored don't work here.
I think Yaya Toure will play alongside Fernandinho and with Aguero back and Liverpool missing Coutinho and Matip i smell a narrow City win! Probably a 1:2 final score! Sturridge, Firminho and Mane have been good but not prolific in front of goal! Best Liverpool and most dangerous player right now is Lallana. City can keep the ball better and Liverpool will be seeking the ball probbaly more often. Pep will edge this unfortunately but I'm gunning for a Liverpool win! City are a top team under Pep still and he showed his genius tactics by downing Arsenal last time with a very impressive change of tactics at half time! Salut
Both teams desperate for possession, also both like to apply pressure without the ball. This should be interesting. Either a high-scoring draw or a disappointment.
@remyo123 Accidentally upvoted, thought you said 2-1 Liverpool win. But I suppose there could be an away win here, I highly doubt it though. You're completely forgetting just how energized Anfield is these days.
A lot of people are going for a city win here, but they're forgetting that A) Man City has under performed compared to Liverpool in almost every aspect this year, B) It's at Anfield and in big games the atmosphere is more intense than any other (3-2 back in 2014, anyone remember that one?), and C) Firmino has finally beaten his goal drought. He might be in court over his DUI (I don't remember), so C might prove invalid, but if it is, we have Sturridge to deputise. Oh, and our formation essentially functions as a 3 striker system, so 3v3 against the Man City defense is something I'd take any day. Goals galore here, probably 4-1 or 4-2.
@sarigginsUSA- I think their logic is largely based on the probability that Liverpool wont be able to match their season averages. Thus far it reads as: 59% possession = 18 shots = 2.5 goals. It's possible they can match, or even beat, those figures here but against a Pep team who keep the ball as both an offensive and defensive measure, it's unlikely. That being said, the possession side of it matters the least. Arsenal in 3rd gear created chances in the first half against City and should've gone in 2 or 3 up. Individual errors prevented us carrying out the game-plan but if I were a Liverpool player, I'd look at how easy it was to break against the City defence and back myself to deliver the final ball and finish the chances which eluded Arsenal in the 1st half. Pep teams are excellent front runners so if City go ahead it could be difficult for Liverpool. I still fancy a high scoring draw. Thinking 3-3 now though not 2-2.
@SteveHyland See, my prediction is largely based on two factors: home advantage/atmosphere, since Anfield is usually crackling in big games, especially since it's a vital game in the title race, and the fact that anyone in the team can score. I feel like you may be right in a draw, because our defense IS shaky right now, however we'll have more confidence from conceding just 1 goal in the last 3 games, regardless of opposition. I just don't think that Man City quite have the verve they need yet to beat a team as energetic as us.
@SteveHyland
Very professional. I think at the end of the day, it will come down to the better defense. Liverpool is lively and very mobile, but for now, without Coutinho and a prime striker (cos Firminho tends to get too involved in midfield) City may be the better converter of chances as Matip is unavailable and Liverpool always tend to look shaky at the back.
I'll go for a City win @ 1:2
"They [Liverpool] have the current longest unbeaten streak of any Premier League side in all competitions (16 matches)" - what?! They lost 3-4 to Bournemouth four matches prior.
@hindy- It's a home LEAGUE streak of 16 games (10w - 6d). The last time they lost at home in the league was against Man Utd in January, 1-0. Since then they have won 10 and drawn 6. In all competitions it is actually 23 (16w - 7d), since the home loss (but going through on penalties) in the league cup against Stoke, also in January.
I think most people are going to go for city here but although liverpool one 4-1 last game but 2 of of them were made from the other teams mistake. With Aguero back, he will want to score some goals I think he may be able to do it for city so I think 2-3 for city. Also you got to remember both goalies aren't great so get a goal on target and you r likely to score
you will get surprised because by half time man city will be leading by 2 goals but after 90minutes scores will change to either 2-2 or 3-2. A red card likely
I still can't quite believe Otamendi has a season rating of 7.6. Anyways, I fancy 2-2 here, or any other scoring draw above 2-2. The EPL record for number of goals in a game is 11 so how about 6-6? It's clear both managers favour outgunning the opposition over a balance between defence and attack, that makes for an exciting watch for the neutrals. I just hope it isn't a flop like so many hyped-up games (ahem *El Clasico* ahem).
Agueros first game back after suspension hes going to want it, Sane and Sterling just scored goals so they'll have confidence. Liverpools defence lose concentration at times (Lost to Bournmouth, draw with WestHam) and they just barely beat Everton. Man City just beat Arsenal, they'll probably beat Hull by a few goals, confidence will be high.
2-3 City for me
Where is the @ball? haha
@natayan he doesn't make comments anymore :)..they always seem to get deleted!!
Still don't know whats with Sané... He had a great game and goal against Arsenal and than he is not even in the squad the next two games. Don't understand Pep's reasoning...
@neumi17 Sané is injured. Suffered a knock against Arsenal.
@BeautifulLoser Thx
Terrible game from both sides. I would be encouraged as a Liverpool fan at the way they ground a result out. This was a different way of playing but they still got a win. City on the other hand look far away form being a title contender.
@SteveHyland I definitely think that was our gameplan - normally we defend in a 4-3-2-1, but today it was more of a 4-1-4-1. Once we got to half time ahead we pretty much parked the bus for the rest of the game. And now, we have 3 clean sheets out of our last 4 games and only 1 goal conceded, and we've scored 9. Great stuff
@sarigginsUSA- Yeah and there was no need to do anything else being a goal up. City are a team who need to outgun oppositions to win, their defence is the worst of the big teams, yet they didn't even offer much offensively. Liverpool still need defensive players in this window, but the signs are more promising than for City.
lmao city scored NOTHING
Pep is a poor man's Klopp
@glenbayern I wouldn't say that. The problems Guardiola is facing are inevitable when you go from Boateng, Lahm, Alaba to Zabaleta, Kolarov, Otamendi. This substantial difference in quality is too massive to be counterbalanced by tactics. Also I had the impression that both teams were quite fatigued.
@BeautifulLoser exactly
@BeautifulLoser Definitely, and Sadio Mane has been looking really tired for weeks now, he's barely able to even sprint. Honestly hope he gets a minor injury for a few weeks so that he doesn't have to go to the African Cup of Nations and can instead get a bit of a breather.
@sarigginsUSA I guess that all Liverpool fans share your hope. The schedule of the African Cup of Nations is a major disaster for the seasonal planning of the clubs that have to rely on African players. Almost all those players are either tired out or injured for the rest of the season. You can see that every time in Serie A.
sieg heil, manchester city
Bravo has been a bargain for mancity, his first season performances are almost surpassing the performances from de Gea in his first season, ballon d'or incoming
@libehv All DESASTER COme From This bravo
@libehv just to remind u.....De gea is the best goalie in the world
@ball *he's
@ball Watch his first premiere league season performances, especially the standard situations, corners and free kicks, he just didn't have the courage to attack the ball in the box - he was U-21 at this time. Now de Gea has bulked up and is a presence in the box which I cannot say for Claudio Bravo and his already an established footballer at age 33.
@libehv how about stones? he made everybody forget about kompany
@ik32 kompany is a legend mate
@ball I agree, but his second world war injuries are giving in
@ik32 Stones is a prospect, Kompany is a dinosaur.
Manchester City has conceded in every away game except the last game to Hull. And coming up against food opponents who play direct football. You can expect them Liverpool to score 2 goals. Although Liverpool plays direct don't forget thier defense and Goalkeepers are worse. And expecting Manchester City I think a 2-2 is on the cards. If I was a betting man I would put my money on draw although Liverpool might want to open the gap and have home favour I would expect 3+2/2-2.
A draw, 1-1 or 2-2, Aguero/De Bruyne, Henderson/Can to score.
@AndreyNosatii yes definately
2-1
Klopp is master and Guardiola is overrated prick. Easy home win unless dirty fix 2-2
@koziol.mutant why don`t you think both are "overrated pricks"? Klopp was not too good in the EPL last season, so why is he "master"?
@tar88s Look at the teams..and then the standings
What a way to end the year, there simply couldn't have been better match to choose from. It's usually unwise to say "goals are guaranteed" as these matches often turn out to be rather defensive and not that entertaining. But two error prone goal keepers, two shaky defenses and two attacking sides should lead to very intensive and high scoring show! Both teams are going to have chances but the one who converts them better obviously will take the upper hand. Against Chelsea, City had the chances to kill the game but ended up loosing which could easily be the case in this match too so much is down to Aguero and other City forwards. Coutinho missing this one is a shame, but both Sturridge or Origi are good enough change the game too. A lot is also down to Fernandinho and Henderson; how they can move the ball and especially how they can stop opposition's counter attacks. With Can and Lallana beside Henderson, I'd see Liverpool as more trustworthy side. 3-2 for Liverpool.
2-1 win for liverpool! Goals from mane, lallana and de bruyne.
Ey Howzit admin, would u please tell me which bookmaker offers an exquisite odds in South Africa.. because i'm from S.A and all the bookmakers suggested by whoscored don't work here.
I think Yaya Toure will play alongside Fernandinho and with Aguero back and Liverpool missing Coutinho and Matip i smell a narrow City win! Probably a 1:2 final score! Sturridge, Firminho and Mane have been good but not prolific in front of goal! Best Liverpool and most dangerous player right now is Lallana. City can keep the ball better and Liverpool will be seeking the ball probbaly more often. Pep will edge this unfortunately but I'm gunning for a Liverpool win! City are a top team under Pep still and he showed his genius tactics by downing Arsenal last time with a very impressive change of tactics at half time! Salut
@albgunn "i smell a narrow City win ... but I'm gunning for a Liverpool win" - What finally?
Both teams desperate for possession, also both like to apply pressure without the ball. This should be interesting. Either a high-scoring draw or a disappointment.
this ill be a very tense game, no team will allow to be scored first, i bet it to be a low scoring game, like 1-1 or 2-0 to liverpoool
@ychera as i had predicted, a low scoring game... hats off for me please
Man city win 2-1 those predictions are so wrong
@remyo123 Accidentally upvoted, thought you said 2-1 Liverpool win. But I suppose there could be an away win here, I highly doubt it though. You're completely forgetting just how energized Anfield is these days.
I see Liverpool humiliating!
Klopp > Pep
City are going get a draw or loss this match but I dnt see much goals to be scored in d match
@ABSA that's interesting. why do you think not many goals in match? :)
And just to let everybody know....rashford is better than origi :)
@ball you are crazy
@ball who asked you ? it's not Man U vs Liv game
@ball yep we all know that
CITY WIN HERE PLEASE!!!
@ball LOL it is joke
@ball please and thanks
A lot of people are going for a city win here, but they're forgetting that A) Man City has under performed compared to Liverpool in almost every aspect this year, B) It's at Anfield and in big games the atmosphere is more intense than any other (3-2 back in 2014, anyone remember that one?), and C) Firmino has finally beaten his goal drought. He might be in court over his DUI (I don't remember), so C might prove invalid, but if it is, we have Sturridge to deputise. Oh, and our formation essentially functions as a 3 striker system, so 3v3 against the Man City defense is something I'd take any day. Goals galore here, probably 4-1 or 4-2.
@sarigginsUSA- I think their logic is largely based on the probability that Liverpool wont be able to match their season averages. Thus far it reads as: 59% possession = 18 shots = 2.5 goals. It's possible they can match, or even beat, those figures here but against a Pep team who keep the ball as both an offensive and defensive measure, it's unlikely. That being said, the possession side of it matters the least. Arsenal in 3rd gear created chances in the first half against City and should've gone in 2 or 3 up. Individual errors prevented us carrying out the game-plan but if I were a Liverpool player, I'd look at how easy it was to break against the City defence and back myself to deliver the final ball and finish the chances which eluded Arsenal in the 1st half. Pep teams are excellent front runners so if City go ahead it could be difficult for Liverpool. I still fancy a high scoring draw. Thinking 3-3 now though not 2-2.
@SteveHyland See, my prediction is largely based on two factors: home advantage/atmosphere, since Anfield is usually crackling in big games, especially since it's a vital game in the title race, and the fact that anyone in the team can score. I feel like you may be right in a draw, because our defense IS shaky right now, however we'll have more confidence from conceding just 1 goal in the last 3 games, regardless of opposition. I just don't think that Man City quite have the verve they need yet to beat a team as energetic as us.
@SteveHyland Very professional. I think at the end of the day, it will come down to the better defense. Liverpool is lively and very mobile, but for now, without Coutinho and a prime striker (cos Firminho tends to get too involved in midfield) City may be the better converter of chances as Matip is unavailable and Liverpool always tend to look shaky at the back. I'll go for a City win @ 1:2
"They [Liverpool] have the current longest unbeaten streak of any Premier League side in all competitions (16 matches)" - what?! They lost 3-4 to Bournemouth four matches prior.
@hindy- It's a home LEAGUE streak of 16 games (10w - 6d). The last time they lost at home in the league was against Man Utd in January, 1-0. Since then they have won 10 and drawn 6. In all competitions it is actually 23 (16w - 7d), since the home loss (but going through on penalties) in the league cup against Stoke, also in January.
@hindy at home?
@hindy That's obviously incorrect but if you look at the matches before and after it, it's really good. But yeah, they messed up there
@sarigginsUSA Oh my bad, just realized it was home undefeated streak.
I think most people are going to go for city here but although liverpool one 4-1 last game but 2 of of them were made from the other teams mistake. With Aguero back, he will want to score some goals I think he may be able to do it for city so I think 2-3 for city. Also you got to remember both goalies aren't great so get a goal on target and you r likely to score
you will get surprised because by half time man city will be leading by 2 goals but after 90minutes scores will change to either 2-2 or 3-2. A red card likely
4-1 Liverpool and Henderson motm
Both teams to score but city to win 3-2.
I'll summarize everything. This is a must win game for Liverpool if they want to win the league.
@CirdomAkul must win for city as well. lol.
liverpool to win 3-0
3 - 1 easy Win for Liverpool, Mane hat trick, and one own goal from Lovren (because City players are not able to score)
I still can't quite believe Otamendi has a season rating of 7.6. Anyways, I fancy 2-2 here, or any other scoring draw above 2-2. The EPL record for number of goals in a game is 11 so how about 6-6? It's clear both managers favour outgunning the opposition over a balance between defence and attack, that makes for an exciting watch for the neutrals. I just hope it isn't a flop like so many hyped-up games (ahem *El Clasico* ahem).
@SteveHyland ha ha----- i suggest 7-7 to have the best record ever
both teams to score .
Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City
Man city destroyed hull and they might just be able to scrape in a last goal to beat liverpool 3-2
@remyo123. Re think. Liv win 3:1
@jalen sory jalen ham.....no way!!! City all the way
@ball definately
@ball yeah I am remy Leflaive
@remyo123 interesting .........................
2-2
both will score from opposition errors as mentioned above
Lots of goals.
@MEHJones for man city
Agueros first game back after suspension hes going to want it, Sane and Sterling just scored goals so they'll have confidence. Liverpools defence lose concentration at times (Lost to Bournmouth, draw with WestHam) and they just barely beat Everton. Man City just beat Arsenal, they'll probably beat Hull by a few goals, confidence will be high. 2-3 City for me
3-2, home atmosphere will be a huge factor.
1-1 or 2-2
2-2