Manchester City have achieved the ultimate level of stability. This summer, coming off a title triumph, they managed to not lose any significant contributing players and have strengthened the areas of concern. Equialim Mangala joins the Citizens and makes an aging defense more youthful, while Fernando impressed in his premier league debut last weekend.
Liverpool have had similar fortune in the transfer market, securing the services of many young talents in the wake of Luis Suarez’ exit from Anfield. What gives Manchester City the advantage apart from the obvious Etihad effect is that they didn’t lose their best player this summer.
Don’t expect Liverpool to struggle as Tottenham did in the months following Gareth Bale’s mammoth move to Real Madrid. However, questions still remain as to whether or not Liverpool are at the level they were last season. Suarez contributed with and without the ball, and was loved unconditionally by the Anfield patrons.
Losing such a mercurial talent and personality typically puts a dent in a squad’s level of play, but Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at replacing his impact. Two names who could feature at the Etihad Stadium today are Emre Can and Alberto Moreno.
In a performance that lacked steel in the midfield last weekend against Southampton, Lucas looked way out of depth. Emre Can, as I speculated last week, could be an inclusion for the Reds who will bring more physicality and energy to the midfield. Can’s influence would decrease the duties of Steven Gerrard but more importantly inject inspiration into a midfield who will certainly need reinforcements in a longer season.
Similarly, Alberto Moreno should feature for Liverpool and make his premier league debut. Moreno was unlucky not to be on the plane to Brazil with La Roja this summer, but that should only encourage the Spaniard to elevate his play further. Javier Manquillo struggled against Ryan Bertrand and Dusan Tadic and could make way Glen Johnson, who started on the left last weekend, or Jon Flanagan.
Fernando’s holding presence in the midfield should further allow Fernandinho and/or Yaya Toure to push forward and contribute to Manchester City’s already impressive attack. His positioning was on-point against Newcastle in the opening premier league fixture and atoned for his embarrassing stumble against Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Sergio Aguero should be back to full fitness, and David Silva looked a menace in midfield against the Magpies. The question for Liverpool will be whether or not they can handle such an attack in a hostile environment. Dejan Lovren is already proving to be a huge upgrade but the second center back position remains a question for the Reds.
If Martin Skrtel can stay disciplined alongside Lovren, Liverpool could have a chance to take points away from today. It’s almost inevitable that City will put goals on the board, so Liverpools speedy attack must be on point when they are granted chances by the Blues’ defense.
Even in such a massive fixture, it’s still early in the season and should bear much determination on the title race. Then again, earning points is a priority for both sides. I would be surprised if Manchester City didn’t earn three points at home, but won’t rule out a resilient performance from Liverpool in which Emre Can and Alberto Moreno star. 3-2 Blues in this one for me.
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