Manchester City vs. Liverpool: Preview, Odds, Predictions (April 1)

Initial Thoughts

Man City lost at Anfield early in the season, but the Reds are in disarray and this north of England clash could get ugly for the away side on Saturday.

The Narrative

What a difference a year makes…. 

After 26 games last season Liverpool were slap-bang in the middle of a ten match winning streak, having racked up 60 Premier League points and 70 Premier League goals. 

Klopp’s side were just three points short of league leaders Manchester City and still gunning for glory in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League.

But fast forward a little over 12 months and we may well be witnessing one of the most spectacular dips in form since Fergie handed the Red Devils over to David Moyes.

26 games into the current campaign Liverpool have amassed 18 fewer points and 23 fewer goals. The Reds are in 6th place in the league - a full seven points short of the Champions league places.

From falling as low as 10th place back in early February, Klopp's team have battled back in recent weeks - putting together a five game unbeaten run in the lead up to the international break.

The Reds managed a clean sheet in each of those matches, finding the net 13 times across the five ties. And to make things even better, just over 50% of those goals came in a record breaking 7-0 win against arch-rivals Manchester United.

But in the very next fixture Liverpool lost 1-0 to Bournemouth who were: a) bottom of the Premier League and b) beaten 9-0 by Liverpool last time they met at the Vitality Stadium.

Nuts & Bolts

It's hardly surprising then that Klopp looked more than a little weary in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool's game against Manchester City on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won each of their last six matches on the bounce, two of which came in the form of a 6-0 thrashing of Burnley in the Premiership and a 7-0 demolition of RB Leipzig in the Champions League. 

Erling Haaland bagged eight of those goals all by himself, and if Liverpool couldn’t handle the Cherries at home, bear in mind that Haaland’s league tally is three goals greater than the entire Bournemouth squad has managed all season.

Liverpool raised their game against United, so could Klopp’s side do that again on Saturday? 

The Reds did beat City 1-0 earlier in the season, but that was at home where they also secured that record win against Man Utd.

Facing City - and Haaland - at the Etihad is a whole different matter. And we predict this will be (another) weekend to forget for Klopp and his beleaguered squad.

Homestand Picks

Odds courtesy of Northstar Bets

Manchester City moneyline (-162)

Erling Haaland to score two or more goals (+200)

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