As the Premier League title race reaches a fever pitch, all eyes turn to Anfield next Sunday when Liverpool and Manchester City clash in a battle for the top spot. Both teams secured hard-fought victories this weekend, with Darwin Núñez delivering a 99th-minute winner for Liverpool at Nottingham Forest and City coming from behind to triumph in the Manchester derby.
The results have heightened the pressure on Arsenal, who face a challenging trip to the Etihad at the end of the month. However, before that pivotal encounter, the current top two will reignite a rivalry that has dominated English football for the past six seasons.
Despite City winning the title five times in that span, there’s one venue where they have consistently struggled – Anfield. In seven Premier League visits, Pep Guardiola’s City has suffered four defeats and secured just one victory. Notably, that solitary win occurred during the 2020/21 season when matches were played without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A win on Sunday would propel the Reds four points clear of City, and pundits like Gary Neville suggest that the onus is on the challengers to dethrone the reigning champions. Neville stated on Sky Sports, “Liverpool has got momentum and energy and the Klopp factor, but Manchester City has the most experience and is the barometer. That is who you have to knock off its perch. You have to beat City if you are Liverpool and Arsenal.”
However, Jürgen Klopp is unlikely to be swayed by external pressures. Despite Liverpool winning eight of their last nine Premier League matches, City remains the favorite according to predictions. Liverpool holds a 35.94% chance of finishing at the top, while City is rated at 52.87%. Arsenal, who could be top before the match, has an 11.17% chance.
While labeling Liverpool as ‘underdogs’ might seem ambitious, the current projection could work to their advantage. The Reds know they must continue performing consistently, a trait they’ve demonstrated in high-stakes situations in the past. From Istanbul to Cardiff, Barcelona at Anfield, and recently against Chelsea at Wembley, Liverpool has found a way to win when the odds were against them.
While winning the title from this position would be a different challenge, it would be a remarkable achievement if Klopp’s men pulled it off. City’s status as favorites is justified by their track record and ability to endure the pressures of a title race, as witnessed in the dramatic season endings in 2019 and 2022.
Despite Neville’s suggestions, securing a point against City might not be a bad result for Liverpool. It would maintain their lead over City, who faces a tougher run of fixtures against Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Tottenham. A victory, however, could blow the title race wide open and potentially see a new favorite emerge.
