Brede Hangeland
Former Fulham and Crystal Palace defender on 5 live

There is always the leader of a defence and you can see when Vincent Kompany plays the other players look better. He is a big loss and City have made themselves so vulnerable. They have strengthened elsewhere, signed full-backs worth hundreds of millions and they have no cover at centre-back against one of the best attacking line-ups.

Look at City's squad going forwards - but they are so vulnerable at the back. Guardiola needs the best one-on-one defenders in the world with the way they play. Defending is about distances. There is no defender in the world who can cover half a pitch against Sadio Mane or Mo Salah. You have to work together to close gaps and City won't do that.

Matthew Upson
Former Brighton defender on Football Focus

I's hard to know what you're going to get from Manchester City defensively.

They are so expansive as a team that when they lose possession they can get hit on the counter-attack.

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on Football Focus

I think Klopp has managed Coutinho quite well. He's been a little bit on the fence in some of his press conferences. For Klopp now, it's a big decision when he brings Coutinho back in and where he plays him.

But they have to use him. His mental state will be difficult - the people who know him say he's a good lad - but he has to pick himself up. The last thing you want to do is sulk, lose your form and then a year down the line, you don't have any clubs looking for you.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

He has been brilliant so far but, does Mo Salah even start for Liverpool if Coutinho is back in the team? You've got Adam Lallana to come in as well.

Liverpool have been very good against the other sides in the top six for the past few years. The best way for them to defend is to get in the opposition's faces and press high up the pitch.

The rain has returned big style at the Etihad as those in the seats at the front scurry for cover. Sales in throwaway plastic macs are through the roof.

Matthew Upson
Former Brighton defender on Football Focus

Liverpool are possibly the most exciting team going forward in the league this season.

With Philippe Coutinho coming back in is an exciting prospect. The pace Liverpool have with Mane and Salah in the side is exceptional.

I fear for any defenders who are tasked with keeping them out.

Joleon Lescott
Former England defender on Football Focus

Whenever Vincent Kompany doesn't play he's a big loss for Manchester City. Obviously his leadership qualities are superb, but he gives the others belief. He is one of the best in the world in his position. You believe that other teams won't score against you when he's playing.

You need to keep a high line against Liverpool and believe that you will benefit from that. Vinny is very aggressive on the halfway line. Liverpool's pace is ridiculous and their confidence is sky high.

Thanks to all of you who reminded me that Raheem Sterling is of course suspended today. That international break is a long time for a man with a memory as bad as mine.

There's an even earlier kick off than the early Premier League kick off over in Spain today as Real Madrid take on Levante.

That game kicked off at 12:00 BST and, interestingly, Real are behind already.

Want to find out more? Head to our live text page on that game here.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Spurs and England winger on 5 live Sport

John Stones has the potential to be a top class centre-half but he makes too many mistakes.

Without Vincent Kompany, I don't see an organiser in the Man City side.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Spurs and England winger on 5 live Sport

I think Liverpool are at their best when they use the pace of that front three - I think Pep Guardiola will be very wary of them on the counter attack.

There is no reason why Liverpool fans wouldn't think they could win the league this year.

Juliette Ferrington
BBC Radio 5 live

Chatting to the fans outside and general feeling is that it will be a miracle if ether team keep a clean sheet. Summariser Chris Waddle agreed when I asked him.

Some surprise that Andy Robertson isn't included in the Liverpool squad today. Jurgen Klopp said at his press conference on Friday that he "cannot make all players happy in each second of the day" and continues to rotate.

With James Milner and Joe Gomez both on the bench and both able to play left-back, Andy Robertson is the one to miss out.

You can listen to the match on BBC Radio 5 live - John Murray with Chris Waddle.

Football Focus

Saturdays were made for sofas. That's why they both start with an 's'....

If you are on the sofa today, then there is plenty to entertain you, starting with Football Focus, which is under way now on BBC One. Dan Walker, Danny Murphy and Matthew Upson are in (not-so-sunny) Brighton today.

Eric Dier reveals all about his bromance with Dele Alli and the NFL Show's Jason and Osi predict this week's scores.

You can also watch via the player at the top of this page.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

Always wondered why Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp spends a lot of his time in the pre-match warm-up standing on the halfway line staring at the opposition.

Is he trying to intimidate them? Is he looking for signs of nerves or weakness? Or in this case was he just waiting for his former Borussia Dortmund player Ilkay Gundogan to come out with Manchester City's substitutes so he could give him a nice hug?

Which he did.

BBC Radio 5 live

1230 Manchester City v Liverpool Full commentary with John Murray and Chris Waddle

1500 Everton v Tottenham Full commentary with Ian Dennis and Leon Osman – plus all the goals as they go in across the English and Scottish leagues.

Listen online, on your radio, in the car, wherever you are. Find the audio by pressing play at the top of the page.

Man City: Ederson, Danilo, Stones, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Walker, De Bruyne, Silva, Mendy, Aguero, Gabriel Jesus. Subs: Bravo, Gundogan, Mangala, Delph, Sane, Bernardo Silva, Foden.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs: Karius, Lovren, Milner, Gomez, Sturridge, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke.

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

Raheem Sterling is not in the Manchester City squad today and he's currently on the pitch in a jacket and cap shaking hands and chatting to various members of City staff. Injured?

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

Image source, PA

John Stones returns to Manchester City's side this lunchtime with captain Vincent Kompany sitting out the meeting with Liverpool after picking up a calf injury.

This is a hugely significant season for Stones, who now needs to train on and show the form that made Pep Guardiola pay Everton £47.5m for the defender in summer 2016.

Stones has also lost his England place after being touted as a permanent fixture for years to come - and with a World Cup coming up next summer he needs to start the fightback. City will hope it starts this afternoon.

Tom McCarron: The reason Liverpool won't be contending for the title is because instead of signing Van Dijk we're starting Klavan in these games.

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on BBC One