Manchester City vs Liverpool: Kevin De Bruyne on bench for hosts, James Milner and Jordan Henderson start for Reds

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Kevin De Bruyne on bench for hosts, James Milner and Jordan Henderson start for Reds
It’s time for the game of the season in the Premier League so far with Manchester City hosting Liverpool in a hugely important top of the table clash.The Reds head into it knowing that a win at the Etihad Stadium will send them ten points clear of City, and move them nine points ahead of second place Tottenham.Liverpool won three of the four matches played between the two sides last season, but they were thrashed 5-0 at the Etihad in the early stages of 2017/18 with City running riot after Sadio Mane’s sending off.3

This was one of the key talking points from last season’s match

A stalemate was played out when the two teams met earlier this term, but City had a golden chance to win the game from the penalty spot late on; Riyad Mahrez fired over and Liverpool remain undefeated.This is being regarded as a must-win match for Pep Guardiola, and it is sure to be an entertaining clash to round off the festive Premier League fixtures.  

Team news

Kevin De Bruyne is on the bench for City while Aymeric Laporte fills the problematic left-back spot.Laporte moves from central defence in the absence of the suspended Fabian Delph and injured Benjamin Mendy.Captain Vincent Kompany starts while manager Pep Guardiola prefers Danilo at right-back to Kyle Walker.Sergio Aguero leads an attack featuring David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.Liverpool have made two changes from the side which thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.Fit-again James Milner returns to the team alongside Jordan Henderson, the second change, and Georginio Wijnaldum as manager Jurgen Klopp reverts to 4-3-3. Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri drop to the bench.3

Liverpool star James Milner is fit to face Man City

Confirmed teams

Manchester City:Ederson, Danilo, Kompany, Stones, Laporte, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, David Silva, Sane, Aguero.Subs: Muric, Walker, Gndogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Otamendi, Jesus.Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.Subs: Mignolet, Fabinho, Keita, Moreno, Sturridge, Lallana, Shaqiri.

What the managers are saying

Pep Guardiola (Manchester City): “If we lose, it will be because they’re better and we were poorer than them. But I don’t have the feeling the players don’t have confidence. They know exactly what they have to do.”3

It has been a shaky festive period for Guardiola

Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool): “We have to be prepared as good as possible, we have to be brave, we have to be full of desire, angry, like in all the other games.“But with the knowledge the opponent is, for me, still the best team in the world. Only the points changed, not the preparation for the game.”

---

View Premier League First Team club and player records, including goals scored, clean sheets and passes, on the official website of the Premier League.
~ Premier League 2018/19 team of the season: The best players

---

Vincent Kompany was wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United four years before joining rivals Manchester City by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 23 May Vincent Kompany was once a transfer target for Manchester United.
Man Utd transfer news: Leaked list shows Sir Alex Ferguson's

---

Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot further endeared himself to the club's fans with his tweet after their 3-1 FA Cup victory over Arsenal. The Red Devils were in superb form in the triumph
Manchester United fan's tweet splitting the club's players

---

Tottenham news: Sam Allardyce insists Spurs will be fine without Harry Kane and backs Heung-Min Son to thrive about 1 hour ago Tottenham news: Spurs midfielder Moussa Sissoko doesn't realise how dangerous he is, claims Tony Cascarino
Google News - Overview

---

Liverpool are four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, but Alisson does not believe that his side lead the way as favourites for the title. The Brazilian international has helped the Reds to an impressive season, with Jurgen Klopp's side boasting the best defensive record in the top-flight.
Manchester City are Favourites but Liverpool are a Threat

---

Liverpool 4-2 Burnley: Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino goals

---

Wayne Rooney hires a burly ex-Old Trafford bodyguard known as 'Big Ginge' to take him to Everton training after his drink drive ban. Wayne Rooney has hired a burly ex-Man United bodyguard Damian Hall
Wayne Rooney says what Manchester United fans think about

---

Declan Rice: West Ham captain Mark Noble reveals the advice he gave 20-year-old over England vs Ireland decision. "I made my decision and I stuck by it, and Declan has had to do the same now.
Declan Rice EXCLUSIVE: Harry Redknapp reveals England verdict

---

Tottenham sent a message to their title rivals with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Crystal Palace. A first Premier League goal for Juan Foyth proved decisive as a below-par Spurs went level on
Tottenham player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Juan Foyth scores

---

Eddie Hearn eyeing up Tottenham's new stadium as venue for future Anthony Joshua fights. "Tottenham's new stadium looks magnificent. Its ultra-modern and state-of-the art.
Eddie Hearn eyeing up Tottenham's new stadium as venue for

---

Embattled Real Madrid head coach Santiago Solari survived a frantic start and red card for Brazil battler Casemiro to eventually prevail 4-1 at Real Valladolid, courtesy of ex-France striker Karim

---