Games do not come much bigger than this. It seems ludicrous, and rather presumptuous, to be calling this a title decider after 11 premier league games, but it's an enormous occasion no matter how much you try to shy away from it or dampen expectations. For that reason, I thought I would take a break from the norm and give you my take on what we should expect at Anfield on Sunday.
Let me start by saying, that this game will not decide the title. Anybody who thinks otherwise has clearly not watched enough domestic football in England. The carrot of a 9 point Premier League lead is there for Liverpool's taking on Sunday, but whatever the result, we will not even be a third of the way through the season. It's incredibly premature to say a title race is over in November. That being said, I can see Guardiola's press conference in my head right now, should The Reds win.... 'The title is over'. 'Congratulations to Liverpool'. 'We must now concentrate on the Champions League'. The mind games will undoubtedly be out in full force. Let's be honest, they already started earlier this week. Calling Sadio out as a 'diver' was a rather unsubtle way of putting pressure on the officials before the game has even started. You can guarantee if Mane takes a tumble in front of the Kop on Sunday, that diver remark will be in the referees mind before he decides whether or not to blow his whistle.
I have huge respect for this Man City team. They are a joy to watch and Guardiola is, in my opinion, the best tactician on the planet. But, I don't fear them. I don't fear anyone at Anfield. This City side have shown fallibility and chinks in the armour this season. There is a huge, Aymeric Laporte sized hole in their backline, and it'll certainly be tested on Sunday. Whichever combination of Stones, Otamendi and Fernandinho he opts for, they will be vulnerable. More so than last seasons team that came and sat deep, nullified our full backs and nearly stole all 3 points. Some say that Mahrez penalty is still rising. Going forwards, they're undeniably as good as it gets. I say it very much through gritted teeth, but Raheem Sterling on current form is probably a top 3 in the world player, and I never thought I would be saying that. He has however, never really turned up at Anfield since he left. Fingers crossed that trend continues at the weekend. They have threats all over the pitch, De Bruyne is magical, Aguero is lethal, Bernardo Silva is non stop. Make no mistake about it, this our toughest assignment of the season as well as it City's.
Where do I think the game will be won and lost? Whoever defends better on the day. We are short of clean sheets, especially at home recently, which is a slight concern. I do, however, think our back four has a better chance of stopping City than their back four has of stopping Salah, Mane and Firmino, if they're on top form. Their midfield is better than ours, ability wise, but I cannot see anyone coming to Anfield and outrunning us. We can nullify anyone through sheer energy and workrate. For that reason, I don't see Oxlade-Chamberlain starting on Sunday. He is a wildcard, a goal threat, very much a forward thinking midfielder, but I think Klopp will opt for the tried and tested with Wijnaldum and Henderson. There's no way he's dropping the captain for our biggest game of the season, and you know what you're getting with Gini, at home especially. I also expect Lovren to start over Joe Gomez, which would worry me, but Gomez hasn't exactly set pulses racing when he's featured this year. I can't see it being as cagey as last seasons reverse fixture, with the injuries City have I don't think it's in their best interests to try and shut up shop. I see an open game, a tense one, with both teams going absolutely full throttle. So often these much-hyped games fail to live up to expectation, but this is a game between two of the greatest squads the Premier League era has ever seen, so I'd be shocked if it's not very watchable for the neutral.
For the not-so-neutral, such as myself, it will more than likely be torturous. I am always rather glass half full when it comes to Liverpool, despite this being the best Reds team I've witnessed in my life time. A draw would be a better result for us than it would be for City, and if it was offered to me right now before a ball is kicked, I would be very tempted to take it. But, the prospect of a 9 point lead is pretty enticing, especially with December around the corner where we'll virtually be playing every other day, sometimes in different continents. If we arrived in 2020 nine points clear, I could maybe start daring to dream. The atmosphere will be special on Sunday, that is the one thing that is for certain. I didn't think I would ever again witness an atmosphere quite like the home game against City in April 2014, where Philly Coutinho smashed in that late winner and everyone was convinced it was finally our year, but maybe this game could rival it. The game in 2014 marked the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough, and the emotion of that occasion fueled scenes of utter delirium at the final whistle on that day. It might not top it, but games under the lights at Anfield are always a spectacle, especially when the stakes are high. I really can't wait.
My final thoughts, whatever may happen on Sunday, I just hope it's the football and the two exceptional teams that create the headlines, not VAR. The way this season has been going, it would not surprise me at all if I'm writing about a huge controversy like a last minute winner ruled out for being a toe nail offside or a stone wall penalty not being overturned on review in case it 'undermines' the referee. Fingers crossed that's not the case. I hate making predictions when Liverpool are involved, but if I had to stick my neck out I will go for us pinching a 2-1 win via a late goal from Origi, because that's what he does. Here's hoping a cheerful review come 7pm Sunday, and another Liverpool win. Up the Reds!
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