Man City vs Liverpool: Five key battles to look out for ahead of the Premier League clash

Liverpool travel to the Etihad this weekend, on Sunday, November 9, to take on Manchester City in what promises to be another feisty encounter in this Premier League fixture.

In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Will Thomas takes a look at the five key battles which could decide the game.

Arne Slot vs Pep Guardiola

Arne Slot has won his last two games against Pep Guardiola since becoming Liverpool manager in 2024.

The Dutch manager last got the better of Guardiola in February in a dominant 2-0 victory for the Reds away from home.

Erling Haaland is being used as a focal point this season, as City have taken a more direct play in their build-up.

This has been an issue for Liverpool this season, and they could struggle in this game.

Slot has previously admitted, after the defeat to Brentford, that Liverpool are yet to find an answer to long balls this season.

Although it doesn’t seem as much riding on the game as previous fixtures between the two teams, a win for either team could be crucial if they plan on catching Arsenal, and both managers will be feeling the pressure.

READ MORE: Premier League news: Sunderland AFC – The success story so far

Erling Haaland vs Virgil van Dijk

Despite Erling Haaland’s goalscoring record in the Premier League, he always seems to struggle when facing Liverpool.

The Norwegian has only scored one goal in his Manchester City career against Liverpool, and the reason for that is most likely Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman has managed to keep the City No. 9 quiet in the last three occasions, helping the Reds to two 2-0 victories against Manchester City in their last two encounters.

However, Haaland seems to be in more ruthless form than ever this season, scoring 13 goals already in the Premier League and with questions still murmuring around Liverpool’s defensive performances, this match could prove Haaland’s best chance to double his goal tally against the Reds.

Jeremy Doku vs Conor Bradley

Conor Bradley will be raring to go ahead of the game on Sunday, coming off the back of a Man of the Match performance against Vinicius Jr.

The Brazilian had no luck on the left wing for Real Madrid on Tuesday when attempting to get past the Northern Irishman.

Similar playing style to Vinicius Jr, Jeremy Doku will look to use his explosive pace and tricky dribbling to beat Bradley, so it promises to be an interesting battle between the two.

To see if Bradley can replicate his performance from Tuesday, November 4 or if the Belgian’s quick feet will be too much for him, as it is for most full-backs.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Premier League betting tips: Sunderland and Arsenal to draw, Erling Haaland to score, and more

Mohamed Salah vs Nico O’Reilly

Nico O’Reilly has impressed again this season at right back as his recent performances have been enough to keep summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri out of the team.

Mohamed Salah slowly looks like he is getting back into goalscoring form, scoring two goals out of his last two Premier League games, so the young Englishman may have to sacrifice some of his attacking play in order to keep Salah quiet.

As Liverpool’s attacking play seems to have reverted back to the right through the Egyptian, this battle could be crucial to the result of this game.

Hugo Ekitike vs Ruben Dias

Despite not having scored since September against Everton, Hugo Ekitike remains a handful for defenders up front.

The Frenchman has done an excellent job in the last two games of dropping into the pocket of spaces between the opposition's midfield and defence to link up play and accelerate the attack, almost like Roberto Firmino, dare I say.

Crafty veteran Ruben Dias will need to be wise to not follow the Frenchman and not get dragged out of defence, and leave a gap behind if he is to keep Liverpool quiet on Sunday.

Ahead of this game, I believe both teams will cancel each other out, like many times in the past, as Arne Slot will be looking to take a more cautious approach away from home to the new direct play from Pep Guardiola.

Score prediction: 1-1

READ NEXT: NBA news: Luka Doncic’s record-breaking start fuels LA Lakers’ dominant run