Stat Pack: Everything you need to know about Man City ahead of Liverpool clash

Manchester City truly are the mightiest of foes for Liverpool in the Premier League.

Recent iterations of this fixture have been blockbusters, fuelled by goals, drama and a mutual respect for the quality of the opposition.

Saturday's meeting between Liverpool and Man City is unlikely to buck the trend, with the Reds travelling to Manchester in the hope that they can end their recent hoodoo at the Etihad.

It will prove a difficult challenge for Jurgen Klopp's side, with Man City the only team currently sat above them in the Premier League table.

Man City have set about defending their Premier League crown in confident fashion, winning every game they have played at the Etihad this term.

But just how good are last season's treble-winners? Let's take a gander at the underlying numbers.

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HEADLINE FIGURES

As mentioned, Man City are currently the only side above Liverpool in the Premier League table. Pep Guardiola's side have amassed 28 points from their opening 12 matches, winning nine, drawing one and losing two of their games to date.

As is often the case with Man City, their ability to turn draws into wins is what sets them apart from the rest, highlighted by the fact that they have lost more games than Liverpool this term but still sit above them in the table having drawn fewer.

The bad news for the Reds is that Man City have the strongest attacking record in the Premier League this season with 32 goals - an average 2.7 per match. Despite the fact that Liverpool have the joint best defensive record in the league - just ten goals conceded - Klopp will need to enter the Etihad with caution on Saturday.

Guardiola's side also boast one of the better defences in the league having conceded just 12 goals - an average of one per match - but their 4-4 draw with Chelsea before the international break shows that they can be susceptible at the back.

EXPECTED GOALS

Despite Man City's impressive attacking record, the champions shouldn't have scored as many as they have this season according to the xG (expected goals) data.

In fact, the champions should have scored four fewer goals than they have this term, highlighting their efficiency in front of goal - or Erling Haaland's efficiency anyway. Hopefully for the Reds, the Norwegian forgets his shooting boots for Saturday's encounter.

At the other end of the pitch, Man City's xG numbers are more accurate. They should have conceded 12 goals this season and they have conceded, well, 12 goals this season.

In comparison, and in more disappointing news for Liverpool, the Reds should have conceded approximately six more goals than they have this season. This overperformance is undoubtedly due to Alisson's brilliance between the sticks, no goalkeeper as capable of outperforming their xGA (expected goals against) than the Brazilian.

In terms of expected points, both Man City and Liverpool are mildly overperforming, however, they remain the top two teams in the division. Somewhat surprisingly, Chelsea should be in third, Arsenal fifth and Tottenham eighth according to the numbers. So, take it with a pinch of salt.

POSSESSION

Given Guardiola's preference for methodical passing football, it's hardly remarkable that Man City top the possession charts. They have enjoyed 62.5% of the ball on average this season in the Premier League, Liverpool sitting sixth with 58.5%.

Man City also sit first for pass completion (88.4%), passes completed (over 900 more than Liverpool) and short (93.8%), medium (91.9%) and long (67%) pass completion percentage.

However, Liverpool have made more progressive passes than Guardiola's side this season (632 vs 608) and more key passes (162 vs 161), showing the Reds' preference for more vertical football.

Given Saturday's match is at the Etihad, it would be a mighty shock if Man City didn't dominate the ball. Liverpool had just 32% possession in this fixture last season.

FUN FACT

This stat could be defunct by Saturday evening, so let's use it while we can. Man City haven't won consecutive league matches against Liverpool since 1937.