Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has barely put a foot wrong since taking over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer, while things seem to be going from bad to worse for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. With three vital points on the line, it will be an intriguing battle at Anfield on Sunday.

While the two sides go head to head on the pitch, we asked our fan writers for each club to go head to head off it.

Each got to ask three questions of the other. Liverpool fan Josh Sexton from The Anfield Wrap, external was asked the following by our Man City supporter

1. How surprised are you by Slot's start at Liverpool?

2. Are you feeling nervous about the contract situations surrounding Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk?

3. Are you confident Liverpool can beat City and Arsenal to the title?

City fan contributor Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany, external was given the following questions:

1. What do you think is going wrong at Manchester City?

2. Is this the least confident you have felt coming to Anfield in the Pep Guardiola era?

3. What have you made of Arne Slot and his start to life at Liverpool?

Liverpool and Manchester City go into Sunday's Premier League fixture at Anfield with the Reds eight points clear at the top of the table and City on a six-match winless run in all competitions.

We have taken a look at some of the statistics behind their contrasting fortunes...

It is not the volume of chances that is the main issue for Manchester City defensively, but the quality of them. City concede by far the highest quality of chance in Europe's top five leagues.

Only two teams are giving up fewer chances than City's eight per game on average - German Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and Getafe, who are 15th in Spain's La Liga.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have four more points compared to their first 12 games of last season. The level of their play has not changed dramatically - it is just a bit more defensive-minded.

They have faced 37 fewer shots, but taken 35 fewer.

Defeat at Liverpool in the Premier League would leave Manchester City 11 points behind Arne Slot's league leaders - but would that gap be insurmountable?

Former goalkeeper David James - who played for both clubs - tells The Football News Show why he thinks Pep Guardiola's side would not be able to recover from another loss, while ex-City midfielder Michael Brown feels you should never write the Blues off.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

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Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate says he will now "start the recovery process" after picking up a "frustrating" injury against Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old's absence is a blow for Reds boss Arne Slot with his side hosting title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

There has been no clarification from the club on the timescale Konate could be missing for but on Friday the centre-back expressed his disappointment on social media.

"So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game on Wednesday night," he said on Instagram, external. "Now we start the recovery process but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again. Thank you for the amazing support at Anfield.

"Inshallah we will keep going and I will support the team every step of the way."

Konate has started every Premier League and Champions League match since replacing 21-year-old Jarell Quansah at half-time of the season opener at Ipswich.

Alex Keble
Football tactics writer

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City travel to Liverpool on Sunday with the usual narrative flipped on its head. This time it is the reigning champions who must find a way through the league's best defence.

But there is a route to victory for Guardiola, providing he embraces the end-to-end wildness into which this fixture so often descends.

Six of the eight Premier League goals Liverpool have conceded this season were scored in transition - just after the ball has been turned over. Five of those eight goals were created by running directly at, or past, the Reds' full-backs.

That should be City's target.

Guardiola should field his fastest ball-carrying wingers and encourage quick distribution into their feet when possession turns over.

Jeremy Doku and Savinho, if hit early, can cause damage running at Liverpool's right-back (whomever it is) and left-back Andrew Robertson - undone already this season by Callum Hudson-Odoi, Kaoru Mitoma, Tyler Dibling and Bukayo Saka.

There is an even better way to expose this vulnerability; slot Kevin de Bruyne into the right-half space, the column of the pitch that runs between opposition left-back and centre-back.

As he comes back to fitness, De Bruyne is just the kind of player needed to take advantage of space behind Liverpool's left winger, which is precisely what he did the last time Man City beat the Reds.

In the above graphic from the 4-1 victory in April 2023, City's number 17 De Bruyne lurked out right and combined with Riyad Mahrez to punishing effect. His pass map below also illustrates a greater concentration of contributions from that side of the pitch.

Better still for City, Liverpool have conceded three goals from through balls played in behind by a central midfielder. Something De Bruyne could do for Erling Haaland.

There is a path to a City win, but only if Guardiola breaks tradition and goes all-in on a transitional game, something Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has begun to pull back on from predecessor Jurgen Klopp's all-action style.

Image source, PA Media

On the latest episode of The Commentators' View podcast, BBC Radio 5 Live commentators Alistair Bruce-Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis reflected on Liverpool's Champions League win over Real Madrid on Wednesday.

"We've done this job for a long time and yet how often is it that something happens and you think: 'I've never seen that before, that's a one-off," said Murray.

"That was exactly it, with Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah having penalties within a few minutes of one another and neither of them scoring."

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, currently deputising for the injured Alisson, kept out Mbappe's spot-kick in the second half.

Murray added: "He's really stepped up. I remember Jurgen Klopp saying, when he was still relatively untried, that Kelleher was one of the best number-two goalkeepers around.

"Alisson is a little injury-prone, so Kelleher has now played more than 50 times for Liverpool. Now they're in a position where they've got Alisson, Kelleher doing what he's doing and also Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was one of their only summer signings and one assumes will be coming back to Liverpool from Valencia at the end of the season.

"There's a big decision for several parties coming not too far down the road on this."

For more tales from the commentary box, listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Caoimhin Kelleher has excelled in Alisson's absence from the Liverpool first team, but is he too good to be second-choice goalkeeper at Anfield?

Former Reds stopper David James tells The Football News Show why he feels the Irishman could make a claim to be top of the pecking order, and why Arne Slot could soon be in an awkward situation.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

The question of who is in the title race right now is a good one, but I still think it is Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.

At the beginning of the season, I said Liverpool would be up there because I feel people forgot how well they actually did last season. They are favourites at the moment because of the consistency they have shown this year, but we all know that the likes of City and the Gunners are capable of going on long winning runs.

City are in unknown territory at the moment with the form they are in, but they are still a group of Premier League and Champions League winners who know how to win and bounce back. However, if Liverpool get the win at Anfield this weekend, that would make them clearer favourites.

The reason I have not put Chelsea and Brighton alongside the other three teams as title contenders is because of the consistency of these teams over the past few years.

Those three have been up there challenging the past two or three seasons and I think that puts them ahead.

We have seen Chelsea are developing in terms of their age and have not been as consistent with their results. The same with Brighton. They put in some really good performances - but then some not so good.

With the heavy December schedule and into January, that is when we will start to see a split and those teams with a better squad depth start to break away a bit.

And yet, although that is what we are used to seeing, when you look at the league this year it has been one of the most up and down starts ever to a campaign in terms of consistency.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer Ian Rush has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about Sunday's Premier League game between the Reds and Manchester City at Anfield.

A Liverpool win would take Arne Slot's side 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola's reigning champions.

"We're in a position where maybe if you don't lose to City, it's not a bad result," said former Wales striker Rush.

"Normally we're having to beat Manchester City to stay in the title race, but City will be thinking they've got to get a result against Liverpool - and it's at Liverpool as well. The atmosphere is going to be incredible. The fans will get behind the team and hopefully the players will react."

However, with about two-thirds of the Premier League season still to be played, Rush believes there is still plenty of time for City - who have failed to win any of their past six games - to claw their way back into title contention.

"Manchester City always come good in January when needed," he added. "When I was playing at Liverpool, they said that was the real start of the season. You hang in there until January and then you kick on.

"When I played, Liverpool used to do that and Manchester City have been doing that in the past few years. Liverpool have to be in a position where they can do the same as them from January."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is the Saudi Pro League's "dream" signing next season. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says "it is far too early to talk about what may happen next season" but, for now, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has "accepted his role" within the squad "in a great manner".

Kelleher has deputised for injured Alisson in recent weeks and saved Kylian Mbappe's penalty in Wednesday's Champions League victory against Real Madrid.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have won just one of their past nine Premier League games against Manchester City (D5 L3), a 1-0 home victory in October 2022.

Manchester City have won just one of their past 21 Premier League away games against Liverpool (D7 L13), beating them 4-1 in February 2021. They have not won at Anfield with fans in attendance since May 2003 (2-1).

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is not going to underestimate Manchester City, despite their recent results, as he believes Pep Guardiola has the ability to solve all problems.

The two clubs are in very different runs of form, with the Reds flying high in the Premier League and Champions League, and City without a win in six games in all competitions.

But Slot does not agree that it is an "easier" time to play the reigning league champions and instead told a news conference that Guardiola will already be thinking of new ideas to help his squad.

"I don't think anyone in the last eight or nine years has said that City at home or away is easy," Slot said. "The word never comes into my mind. Not at all. Everyone is looking at the result but if you analyse them they are still a very, very good team.

"One of the reasons I think Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world is because he always comes up with solutions to his problems. We all know he will come up with a solution, but hopefully just after Sunday.

"During a season these things can happen to every team. I am hoping we are not going to face the same problems, but it is always difficult for every manager if one of your star players [Rodri] is injured.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he comes up with another brilliant idea that no one has even thought about before. That is one of the reasons he inspires so many managers around the world.

"Let's wait and see. If there is anyone in this managerial world who can come up with something new, it's him."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have the opportunity to go 11 points clear of Premier League champions Manchester City if they beat Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday, but captain Virgil van Dijk says the team need to "stay humble and calm" to "keep getting points on the board".

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Van Dijk said: "We are only going to be in December on Sunday, so there are still five months to go or something. We want to win the game but we know what they are capable of so, first and foremost, we have to be ready for their challenge.

"We should not be looking at anyone else other than ourselves. As long as we are consistent and getting points on the board, that's all that matters.

"I don't look at others. I want to make sure that we, as a team and a club, are winning games, finding ways to win, working our socks off and staying calm.

"It [the club's fine start to the season] is about hard work, staying humble and calm, and our quality. I think our belief and conviction has been there for many years, so it's now all about the consistency and staying calm."

On Manchester City's current form, the Dutch defender added: "They have won four [titles] in a row for a reason. We have to be ready for a very difficult one this weekend, and we will be.

"They aren't in the best form of their lives. I think injuries play a big part in that and we have been in a situation like that before, where we had loads of injuries, and it is never easy to then find consistency and confidence.

"But I know, like everyone else who understands football, that Manchester City can turn things around at any moment. Hopefully that's not on Sunday, but we have to be at our best to get a result and that is what we are aiming for."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester City (kick-off 16:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are being assessed after Wednesday's Champions League win over Real Madrid, so it is too early to say whether they will be involved.

• Slot said "it is never a good sign when you have to take them off" or when a player is unable to walk round the pitch at full-time.

• However, Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit enough to start against City.

• On Liverpool's injuries not being highlighted as much as their competitors: "In general, people only talk about injuries if the results are not there. We do have some very important players injured but if the replacements do well then it is normal for it not to be spoken about as much."

• He said goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has "accepted his role from the start of the season to now and in a great manner" so nothing has changed. He added: "It is far too early to talk about what can happen next season."

• On facing City during their poor run of form: "I don't think anyone in the last eight or nine years has ever said City at home or away is easy. The word never comes into my mind. Not at all. Everyone is looking at their results, but if you analyse it they are still a very good team."

• Slot said Pep Guardiola "is one of the best managers in the world because he always comes up with solutions to his problems" and he "wouldn't be surprised if he comes up with another brilliant idea that no one has even thought about before" to solve his team's midfield and defensive issues.

• On his side needing to be more disciplined to avoid yellow cards, Slot said: "We have to be aggressive but always in a good way. We have to be a bit more calm with and without the ball."

Read about Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has said winning the Premier League title this season could be Mohamed Salah's "last act for Liverpool", after the forward told reporters he was "disappointed" about not yet being offered a new contract to stay at Anfield beyond the end of the campaign.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Planet Premier League podcast about the situation, Onuoha said: "Salah has just scored two goals to make him second-top goalscorer in the league - he can say whatever he wants to say.

"Maybe he is trying to play an elaborate game, but he is putting the work in and he is enjoying the moments at Liverpool. He is delivering all the energy and passion that we have seen over all the years he has been at Liverpool.

"The league title is potentially going to be there [for this team]. That might be his last act for Liverpool, maybe the Champions League or maybe the FA Cup or whatever it is.

"But him, [Virgil] Van Dijk and [Trent] Alexander-Arnold [who are also approaching the end of their contracts] don't look like players that have insecurity. As a consequence, they are playing the best football in the country right now.

"I would not attack them for saying whatever they want to say, because their actions are far bigger in my opinion."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

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Liverpool fan Dan Clubbe says it would be "insanity" to allow Mohamed Salah to leave the club for free in the summer and the board should "move heaven and earth" to keep him.

The off-field conversations on the forward's contract talks - or lack of talks -continues to roll on.

"It is a bit of a mess," Clubbe told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I can't say I blame Salah for speaking out.

"I have gone back and forth with it all. From a fan point of view, give him what he wants because the man is a genius and his numbers speak for themselves.

"I always try to look at it from the club's perspective but it has gone above that now because Salah shows no sign of slowing down. He's in peak physical condition and he is so driven and focused.

"There is no other option but to give him what he wants. They can move heaven and earth to make it happen.

"That could be said for all three of them [Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold], but particularly for Salah because of the form he is in.

"You cannot let that man walk away for free. That is insanity."

Football broadcaster and writer Henry Winter feels it is "strange" how a "well run" club like Liverpool have let the contract situations for players run so late.

"I am not completely surprised in terms of the way Mo Salah, who is a very intelligent individual, is handling this," he also told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He is doing it very acutely. Talking to the media, and he rarely talks to the written press, so he obviously trusted four or five of the journalists there at St Mary's and wanted to get his message over to them. And, he has got a very compelling argument.

"We talk about age and owners like FSG are cautious about handing out contracts when players start straying into their 30s. But you can't lump all 30-somethings as the same.

"You can still see him playing and delivering when he is 34 or 35. It is vital that they keep him and there will be some sensible negotiating going on."

Listen to the full discussion with Dan on BBC Sounds

And hear more from Henry here

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Liverpool continued their brilliant start under new manager Arne Slot with victory over 15-time European champions Real Madrid.

Conor Bradley was in superb form and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet, much to the delight of the raucous Anfield crowd.

Have a look at the highlights from Liverpool's win and some analysis on Bradley's performance.