The 2018/19 Premier League season was close. This 2021/22 could be a closer one between Manchester City and Liverpool.
The first meeting this season in October ended 2-2 in an exhilarating see-saw encounter.
The 197th meeting on Sunday could become a pivotal encounter for the winner.
For the benefit of the neutrals, this should end in a draw so that the title battle will continue to be as intense until the end of the season.
Pep Guardiola admitted in his pre-match briefing that, in retirement, he will remember how much Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team pushed him.
“I will always remember the time here when I am retired and I will remember the biggest opponent was Liverpool,” he said.
Since they first met in the Bundesliga, there have been 22 clashes and both have nine wins each. In all EPL stats this season, both teams almost mirror images of each another.
Klopp has tried to downplay the result by saying, “It is an important game–a very important game–but, how we now realised in the beginning, there is a season after this game and these games are as important as the others.”
Who will decide this or what will be the decisive moment?
Sunday’s encounter kicks off at 4:30 p.m., but you can start following LIVE UPDATES from the Etihad Stadium in Manchester from PREMIUM TIMES from 4 p.m.
The countdown to kickoff is on and both managers have released their team list for the Super Sunday clash at the Etihad Stadium
Team News
Man City Starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Jesus, Foden, Sterling
SUBS | Steffen, Ake, Gundogan, Grealish, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Mahrez, McAtee, Lavia
Liverpool Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Jota, Mane, Salah.
Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Tsimikas, Diaz.
Kickoff at the Etihad … Manchester City vs Liverpool
Big save by Alisson Becker… Raheem Sterling found himself in a great scoring position but Alisson Becker denied him with a great effort
Free kick as Fabinho from Liverpool trips Kyle Walker
Goal!!! Kevin De Bruyne score from a shot with the left foot, that takes a deflection. Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1513178926402711564?s=20&t=ueoxYAboLWK0rTJXTH3fVw
Bernardo Silva provided the assist for the goal and the defending Champions have the bright start they wanted
The game is temporarily halted due to fireworks on the pitch.
The game is back on with Manchester City slightly dominating ball possession possession: Manchester City: 53%, Liverpool: 47%
GOAL!!!! Equaliser.. Diego Jota makes it 1-1 for Liverpool
13' – Robertson hangs one up to the back post, Trent touches it back for Jota and he rolls it into the corner superbly.
[1-1]#MCILIV https://t.co/k563OZeTCb
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 10, 2022
Exquisite touch and sweet finishing by Jota.. Game on at the Etihad Stadium
Between Manchester City and Liverpool they have scored 147 goals between themselves before today with the Reds scoring the most 77
Good effort by Gabriel Jesus as he directs a shot on target, but the keeper saves it for Liverpool
Though the two keepers have conceded a goal each, they have made good saves so far
Corner for City to be taken by Foden Liverpool relieve the pressure with Allison make a routine save
21 Minutes gone .. Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool
A shot by Rodri is blocked.
Ederson Moraes almost cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder but the Brazilian is lucky
We are more than halfway through the first half … Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool
Ball Possession: Manchester City: 53%, Liverpool: 47
YELLOW CARD: Andrew Robertson commits a rough foul on an De Bryune and goes into the referee’s book.
Big chance for de Bryune but he misses the opportunity to put City ahead
Five attempts for Man City while Liverpool have two
Good strike by Cancelo for Man City..but no goal
Only a side netting
35 Minutes played.. Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool
Not for long… Gabriel Jesus makes it 2-1 for Liverpool
https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1513186728852561923?s=20&t=N3-AJlFeDqffPk6_nXe1FA
Cancelo provided the assist as the Brazilian shoots City in front for the second time in this Super Sunday clash
Another yellow card for Man City as Bernardo Silva is booked for a foul
As it stands . Man City have a four point advantage at the top of the EPL table
Half Time: Man City 2-1 Liverpool
More possession, more shots, more shots on target, more corners, more goals.
Stats are all in City’s favour after the first 45 minutes as we get set for the second half, will they maintain the tempo or even up the ante..
The second half is underway at the Etihad Stadium
Goal!! Fantastic start for Liverpool as Sadio Mane pulls the visitors Level Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool
SAAAAADDDDIIIIIOOOOO!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/qzVOUQdjuw
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 10, 2022
The Senegalese scores his 13th goal of the season with his right foot
Raheem Sterling gets the ball in the net but after a VAR check, it is chalked off as offside
City very much on top at the moment, dominating possession.
Guardiola furious as Laporte fires a pass out wide that Salah very nearly intercepts.
Virgil van Dijk clears the danger with a good tackle
Klopp makes his first change bringing in Luis Diaz for Diogo Jota
Good run by Liverpool but the ball is out of play . The Reds think they should be given a corner kick but the referee rules otherwise
Guardiola makes his first change taking off Raheem Sterling who has been replaced by Riyad Mahrez
Jordan Henderson tries to pick out a Liverpool team-mate in the area but his cross is blocked by the City defenders
Going into final 10 minutes it is still Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool
Yellow card: Fabinho is booked by the referee as he commits a rough foul
Another change by Guardiola..Gabriel Jesus leaves the field to be replaced by Jack Grealish
Free kick for Manchester City in a promising position.. Mahrez takes it and he was quite close to getting the Cityzens back in front.. Just inches off
The clock ticking away.. still Man City 2-2 Liverpool
Four minutes added time
Any late drama at the Etihad Stadium?
Chance.. Mahrez comes close but he couldn’t bury the ball in the net
Full Time : Man City 2-2 Liverpool
The defending Champions keep their one point advantage over the Reds
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