The first pass after Liverpool's press should shape this match. Liverpool have the pressure and second-ball work to gain territory, while City can turn a clean escape into a quick attack on the full-back channels. The decisive contest is which side turns those openings into clear chances in the middle of the box.
Liverpool's Mac Allister and Szoboszlai can squeeze City's midfield receivers, but Fernandez and Anderson give City a way through the first line. That would put Cherki and the wide runners in space before Liverpool's midfield can recover, with Haaland attacking the central delivery. At the other end, Jacquet and Van Dijk have helped Liverpool protect their box, and Wirtz can connect the press to the front line.
Liverpool's attack has a different final link for this match. Isak finished the move that beat Bournemouth and Gakpo supplied the breakthrough, but both have been ruled out, with Ekitike also unavailable. Haaland has been cleared to play, and City found several scoring routes against Sunderland even with Foden absent.
I expect Liverpool to press hard from the opening exchanges and City to settle into more attacks through midfield as the game develops. City can feed Cherki behind that pressure and carry the move through to Haaland or a second-ball runner. That's why I'm siding with Manchester City to win at Anfield.
