The two teams who have been at the pinnacle of English football for the last four years go head-to-head on Saturday when Liverpool travel to Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp is looking to continue his impressive record after returning from the international break but he comes up against his familiar foe in Pep Guardiola, whose City side are looking to assert pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Meanwhile, the Reds are looking to make a late push into the Champions League places and salvage their season after poor showings. It feels a long time since their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth and now, three weeks later, they face the top-flight title holders.
Liverpool have the opportunity to turn the heat up on Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United but also create breathing space from Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, who are also in the mix for a top-four finish.
And here is how the pundits have predicted the big clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Paul Merson - Sports Keeda
Speaking to Sports Keeda, Merson said: "This is a huge game for Manchester City and they cannot afford to slip up. If they drop points here, they could find themselves 10 points behind Arsenal. If City win this game, however, the onus will be on Arsenal. If you're an Arsenal fan, this is a game where you'd be hoping City would slip up.
"Liverpool aren't going to dominate the ball and will use their pace on the counter with Salah, Nunez and Gakpo. Manchester City do leave open spaces at the back and Liverpool will need to exploit them.
"Liverpool have been a bit like a bag of rebels (sic), and Jurgen Klopp doesn't know what he's going to get from his team. One minute they're beating United and City and the next, they're losing to Bournemouth away from home.
"If Liverpool lose to City and then beat Arsenal next week, they'll have blown the title race wide open. Liverpool need to win both of these games to get into the top four, and that would be a good result for them.
"Liverpool haven't had the season they've had so far only because of Trent Alexander-Arnold. He gets a lot of stick, and I'm not sure what Liverpool are going to do with the situation. They've won Premier League and Champions League titles with him in the team.
"I would be shocked if Erling Haaland isn't fit for this game - he pulled out of the international break. I don't know which Liverpool are going to turn up, and I'm backing Man City to win a massive three points this weekend."
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Liverpool
Chris Sutton - BBC
"Manchester City cannot afford to slip up here and lose any more ground in the title race. This is a must-win game for them," Sutton said for his BBC's prediction piece.
"Liverpool will play on the front foot and try to take the game to City and I am sure they will cause them some problems, but I still worry about the Reds at the other end.
"Their high defensive line has been found out plenty of times this season and they are so inconsistent that I just don't trust them to hold out. I fancy City strongly in this one."
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Liverpool
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