Liverpool will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they face Manchester City at Anfield later today.
A late Bukayo Saka penalty saw Liverpool defeated 3-2 by Arsenal at the Emirates last week, leaving the Reds 10th in the league and with a host of new injury issues. But a 7-1 thrashing of Rangers in the Champions League would've provided the perfect boost for the Reds, with Mohamed Salah rediscovering his goalscoring form with a hat-trick off the bench.
Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez both impressed again as they got on the scoresheet, but Jurgen Klopp 's side will need to improve defensively if they want to shut out City's attacking threat. City are the league's top scorers this season, and this is the first time in a while that both sides have met and not been neck-and-neck for the title.
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Andy Robertson could return to the starting XI after coming off the bench against Rangers, whilst Curtis Jones may be deemed fit to make the squad after returning from injury. Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo are all confirmed absentees for the Reds.
So, could Liverpool get back to winning ways against a rampant Man City side? We simulated the game to find out. To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We simulated Liverpool vs Man City to get a score prediction
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows (prediction was made before the news of Ibrahima Konate's injury ): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Firmino.
We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Akanj, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
Man City started the game on the front foot, and they came close on three occasions in the opening 25 minutes, but Alisson made some terrific saves to deny the visitors. Against the run of play, Liverpool took the lead with their first shot of the game.
With the Reds sitting deep and City pushing for the opener, Liverpool caught Pep Guardiola's side on the break, with Mohamed Salah leading a four-versus-four situation. As the Egyptian approached goal he slid a pass through to Nunez, and the striker drilled a perfectly placed shot across Ederson and into the bottom corner.
The pressure continued from City after Nunez's goal, with the visitors somehow not level - or even ahead. But, City had the perfect chance to equalise in the second half when Virgil van Dijk was judged to have brought down Erling Haaland inside the box, and a penalty was awarded.
Kevin De Bruyne stepped up to take, but Alisson guessed the right way and pushed the Belgian's effort around the post. The Brazilian was having the game of his life and single-handedly keeping Liverpool in the game.
Haaland, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Rodri were all denied by the 'keeper, with Liverpool holding on to the lead by a thread. The Reds had only registered two shots all game, but another counterattack saw Liverpool double their lead with their third shot, making the chances of a comeback from City even more difficult.
Andy Robertson intercepted a pass deep in the Liverpool half and surged forwards, playing a one-two with Thiago to set the defender free down the left. Robertson played a ball down the line for Nunez, and the striker's cross into the box was tapped home from close range by Roberto Firmino.
A late flood of shots came from City as they desperately tried to get back into the game, but Alisson remained on top form as the Reds secured the win.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Liverpool 2-0 Man City
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that an incredible display from Alisson could earn Liverpool three points on Sunday, with the goalkeeper making 15 saves in the simulation. But, if the game is anything like how it was on FIFA 23, Liverpool fans could be worried, with City having 20 shots to Liverpool's three.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments below.
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