Manchester City

Man City forward Bernardo Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's three points nothing more and nothing less - a very important points.

"If possible we can take points from our rivals so it's a big day and I am looking forward to it."

On Anfield: "It's always difficult to play away at Liverpool, today we have a big challenge, but I think we are ready.

"We will be ready for everything in the good and bad moments. We will try to handle the bad moments in the best possible way - we want to get the three points."

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

This will be brilliant, it's not even should. We know it will be brilliant.

Nil-nil is not going to happen, a draw might happen and I don't think that would be a bad result for either.

Of course if you can go and win, it is much better but neither of them are going to want to lose.

Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports about Mo Salah: "We can bring him on which is super cool."

Two Football Focus heavyweights slug it out in the ring ahead of the big game, with former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock in the red corner and former Manchester City centre-back Nedum Onuoha in the blue corner.

Who will deliver the knockout blow?

Andy: Liverpool will need to win the game in the first 20 minutes and relentlessly press Manchester City into early mistakes. If they can get a two-goal lead first half they can win. If it’s level at half-time I favour City.

Jurgen Klopp has made four changes to the Liverpool side who beat Nottingham Forest in the 99th minute last Saturday.

Mohamed Salah can only start among the substitutes but Darwin Nunez comes into the side.

Ibrahima Konate misses out with the injury he sustained in the win over Sparta Prague as Jarell Quansah comes in.

Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez. Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Diaz, Nunez, Elliott.

Substitutes: Adrian, Robertson, Tsimikas, Salah, Gakpo, McConnell, Clark, Nallo, Koumas.

Image source, BBC Sport

Pep Guardiola made two changes to the Manchester City who beat Manchester United last weekend.

Manuel Akanji comes in for Ruben Dias while Jeremy Doku drops to the bench for Julian Alvarez.

Manchester City starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Haaland, Alvarez.

Substitutes: Ortega, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.

Image source, BBC Sport

Team news is about to drop. Will Mo Salah start for the first time since 1 January?

Are Manchester City's big guns back?

Pat: In very simple terms, in order to win at Anfield, Manchester City need to take their chances. Anfield is not a nice place to visit and the crowd will be as animated as ever. But providing the referees have a good game, I see no reason why City can’t come away with the points. We need to play our own game and avoid getting drawn into a frantic, high-speed battle.

This is a fixture that has delivered outrageous entertainment and gripping drama in recent meetings.

Pep Guardiola has won just once on his eight visits to Anfield as Manchester City boss - during the Covid-era when no fans were allowed inside.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are without a win in the past three league and cup meetings, all played at the Etihad.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

John Murray
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield

It is very much the thing - the talk about this match as a title decider yet we are sitting here and it's another cold afternoon.

I walked up through Stanley Park and the daffodils are barely out, they're just trying to come through.

Of course most importantly neither Liverpool or Manchester City are actually at the top of the table now.

Bally: The only way Liverpool will win this is high intensity pressing from the front to make it difficult for City to play their passing game. Put them under pressure with no time to think and limited passing options and see if they can handle it.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on the We're Not Really Here podcast

A couple of years ago when Liverpool beat Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, three days earlier City had been away at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Liverpool were at home to Benfica.

As a consequence the performance levels from City were a little bit different to what we were used to.

Things are helping City at this moment in time because Liverpool have had their injuries and played in Prague on Thursday.

Liverpool were in Prague on Thursday night in the Europa League, while Manchester City hosted FC Copenhagen in the Champions League the night before.

Pep Guardiola's side have had an extra day to prepare for this.

Will that have any impact?

The streets around Anfield are packed as fans await the arrival of the coaches carrying the two teams.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

ThomasHoiles: Huge game today. Coming from an Arsenal fan, a draw would be the best result. I just hope that it can be a great game of football, that for once, doesn’t focus on the referee and VAR at full time. We’ve got a title race for the ages, let’s hope the game delivers.

BBC Radio 5 Live

John Murray is joined at Anfield by former Chelsea, Everton and Scotland winger Pat Nevin to take you through all the action.

Peter: A charged up Anfield is without doubt the hardest stadium in world football to get a win at when something meaningful is at stake. The crowd is worth a goal start for Liverpool and its influence on decision making by the officials mean the opposition has to maintain excellence and resilience for 100 minutes at least. But, if any side can, it’s Pep’s City.

Shay Given
Former Man City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

If there is a team that can go to any stadium in the world and perform it's Manchester City. They have been everywhere. They are European champions.

I really feel if they can get three points against Liverpool then the league is theirs.

They will be the first team to win four Premier League titles on the bounce. Another record smashed by Pep Guardiola and his team.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I have seen the world's best players at Anfield like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They've struggled to play in that environment because it is hostile at times.

People will say 'you've got your Liverpool head on'. It's not that. I've seen players really suffer at Anfield. It does get to players. That is going to play a huge part in this game.