Not sure what tactics Tom is referring to there. In this opening eight or so minutes, all City have done is pass the ball about.

Fabinho is getting stuck in. He trips Jack Grealish again.

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Jack Grealish cuts inside and is tripped by Fabinho for a City free-kick.

This can go into the middle. Kevin de Bruyne is over it.

John Stones is pushing up from defence into midfield to help Rodri out in the middle. It is leaving City with predominantly a back three in possession.

They'll take the game to Liverpool, we all know that.

Ilkay Gundogan is down holding his head. Fabinho stands over him. The City player received a hand to the face, but is it enough to then throw himself to the turf? Nah.

City quickly get on the ball and try to patiently pick Liverpool open. They work the ball to the left but Jack Grealish's forward pass is hammered out of play.

Ederson takes a bit of a risk inside the first minute as his clearance is almost charged down by Cody Gakpo.

Here we go again... City v Liverpool. Pep v Jurgen.

The reigning champions need to win this to stay on Arsenal's heels, the Reds need the three points to push for a top-four finish.

It is big one for both and it is under way.

As Premier League managers, Pep Guardiola has 597 points from 255 games and Jürgen Klopp has 598 points from 284 games.

Mohamed Salah has scored in all three of Liverpool's games against Man City this season, in the Premier League, Community Shield and EFL Cup.

The last Liverpool player to score in four different games against an opponent in a single campaign was Ian Rush, netting in five meetings with Everton in 1986-87 (including the English Super Cup).

Liverpool have taken just 12 points from their 13 Premier League away games this season (W3 D3 L7), compared to 30 at home.

They have the biggest difference between points won at home and on the road in the Premier League this season (18).

Liverpool have won more Premier League games against reigning champions than any other side (23). They're looking to achieve their first such double since 2013-14, beating Manchester United 1-0 at home and 3-0 away under Brendan Rodgers.

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For this week's Premier League predictions Chris Sutton faces DMA'S frontman and Everton fan Tommy O'Dell.

Image source, BBC Sport

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Manchester City cannot afford to slip up here and lose any more ground in the title race. This is a must-win game for them.

Liverpool will play on the front foot and try to take the game to City and I am sure they will cause them some problems, but I still worry about the Reds at the other end.

Their high defensive line has been found out plenty of times this season and they are so inconsistent that I just don't trust them to hold out. I fancy City strongly in this one.

Tommy's prediction: 2-0

City are going to win this one but I am not sure if they are going to retain their title - I think the Champions League is where it's at for them this season. I have been doubting Arsenal recently but I have been doubting them all year, and they are still there at the top.

Find out what Sutton and O'Dell predicted for the rest of the weekend's games and cast your vote

Harriet Prior, The Anfield Wrap, external

With a summer reinvention looming, many names spring to mind when it comes to proving they should be part of Liverpool's future.

Players including Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner look to be entering the latter stages of their careers at Anfield.

However, Joe Gomez is a player still young enough to be a key part of a new-look Liverpool side.

Aged 25, and with centre-back being a potential area of reinvestment in summer, Gomez is playing to prove that he has value as a squad player for seasons to come.

Despite suffering from inconsistent spells this season, on his day Gomez has shown what he is capable of and he will be keen to push for a role as a regular starter.

Read the full piece here

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Jurgen Klopp takes little comfort from Liverpool's excellent form at the end of previous seasons, but appreciates the clarity their exits from cup competitions has provided.

"Historically, we have finished strongly," he said. "But we have had to.

"Last year, we nearly won four trophies; but then this year, the trophies have gone early. That's a proper thing to bring us down to the ground again and to understand that what we have done in the past was never easy.

"If you do only a little bit less, for whatever reason, it's gone."

The Reds have not played since a tame exit from the Champions League at Real Madrid two and a half weeks ago and he says his focus is firmly on finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

"Now it's clear - top four is the only thing we can really go for," he said. "We don't have a perfect position to fight for it and we have to win a lot of games.

"The more we win, the more pressure we put on those above us."

Liverpool are sixth, seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham - though they have two games in hand on the north London side and still have to play them at Anfield.

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Kevin Campbell
Former Arsenal striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Both teams have to set out to win but Liverpool could take the draw because away from home to City is a difficult place to go.

Liverpool want to win the game but they'd be happy with a point.

If Man City don't win they'll be more affected because Arsenal still have to play.

The onus is on Man City, they're at home.

Liverpool have arguably been the most consistent team over three or four years.

Stephen Warnock
Former England and Liverpool defender on Football Focus

You’ll probably get John Stones playing at right-back but pushing into that midfield area alongside Rodri.

I think Liverpool will look at that area and try and target it. If you can break quickly in wide areas, you can hurt City.

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Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

City are without Foden and without Haaland but they've got strength in depth and they've still got enough to go and win this game.

I think today is a huge game for Liverpool, if they go there and don't get the right result or don't put in a good performance.

We don't know what Liverpool is going to turn up. At times this season we've thought they're back but then you look at them again and they're poor again.

If they can get a result today, then the confidence that would give them for the rest of the season would be huge. It's vital that they get something out of this game today.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have 12 games remaining in their bid to secure Champions League football again next season. Jurgen Klopp's side are sixth in the Premier League, seven points behind Tottenham but with two games in hand over Spurs, while fifth-placed Newcastle have played the same number of matches and have a five-point cushion.

The Reds return to action after the international break with fixtures against Manchester City, Chelsea and leaders Arsenal.

"Every game now feels a big one because a top-four place rests on racking up as many points as possible," said BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould on the station's The Red Kop podcast.

Matt Addison from Liverpool.com added: "It's a big week and one to be excited about. It's almost one of those where you'd fancy Liverpool a bit more in some of these games than you do in some of the ones that follow.

"It does feel like there's a bit of an opportunity against City, Chelsea is away but Chelsea have not been particularly brilliant this season, and then Arsenal at home with the Anfield factor - I'm fairly confident going into that of a reasonable result.

"You'd probably take five points from those three games and go from there."

Listen to or download the full podcast on BBC Sounds here