Liverpool vs Man City - predictions

Liverpool face possibly their biggest test of the season on Sunday when they welcome world champions Manchester City to Anfield in the Premier League. 

With the Reds just a point ahead of Pep Guardiola's side and Arsenal lurking close behind in third, this weekend's match-up on Merseyside could prove pivotal in the title race.

Nerves are already jangling among Liverpool supporters ahead of the big showdown, but the Reds' Anfield record against Man City should serve as a huge confidence boost.

With the likes of Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai and, of course, Mohamed Salah back for Liverpool, the outcome of Sunday's encounter is likely to be decided by the finest of margins.

With the Reds in desperate need of three points on Sunday, or at least the one, here is how Anfield Watch's writers think the match might play out.

Ewan Ross-Murray: As an eternal pessimist, Sunday fills me with a great deal of dread.

Man City have won 18 of their last 20 matches in all competitions, have next to no injury concerns and are arguably the most complete side in world football right now.

In Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Phil Foden, they have some frighteningly good footballers, capable of dictating and, most importantly, deciding matches.

However, the return of Salah and Nunez in particular settles my nerves, while it's also worth remembering that Man City have won just two games at Anfield in the 21st century.

Liverpool seem to be capable of pulling out unlikely results this season and their capacity to produce late magic is another boost ahead of Sunday's clash.

It will be tight, it will be nervy, so I'm going for a draw.

Liverpool 1-1 Man City

Andy Headspeath: Even including the Carabao Cup final, you could argue this is Liverpool's biggest game of the season so far.

A win here really puts the Reds in the driving seat going into the final ten games of the Premier League season, especially with so many big players still to come back from injury.

A loss however could be momentum crushing with Arsenal also ready to capitalise on any dropped points at Anfield on Sunday.

City look as formidable as ever once again, but if any team can stop them it's this Liverpool team. The fitnesses of Ibrahima Konate and Mo Salah could be crucial in deciding the result.

Liverpool 2-1 Man City

Alex Caple: I'll go one further than Andy and argue that this is definitely Liverpool's biggest game of the season. Win and they'll be massive title favourites - and that's the trophy we'd all pick this season.

And we all know how a title race with City goes: drop points and it feels like you've lost a cup final. That's magnified when you're actually playing them. Fortunately, enough stars are back that the team Klopp puts out should be strong enough to win here.

I'd take a draw, and maybe that's what I really think will happen. But it's Klopp's final game vs Pep, so I've got to believe there'll be enough magic involved to get Liverpool over the line.

Liverpool 2:1 Man City