The final match of round eight in the Premier League (PL) is arguably the biggest yet of the season. Entering the round as number one and two, this is the match neither Liverpool (W6, D1, L0) nor Manchester City (W6, D1, L0) can afford to lose.
Although losing has not been a habit this season, Liverpool are now without a win in three. Just one of these was in the league however, a credible draw against Chelsea.
City are currently leading Liverpool by six more goals scored, yet the home side may find some encouragement by the teams respective opponents so far – Liverpool have faced teams entering the round with an average table place of 10.4, whereas City have faced opponents with an average of 14.7 – including all of the bottom four.
Since their Lyon slip-up in the Champions League, City have been back on track with four straight wins – with a combined goal score of 12-1 (all competitions). Incredibly, the team is on par to improve their record of 106 goals (2.79 on average) in the PL last season – so far they’ve scored 3.0 on average per match!
City have won 44 of their last 54 PL matches (W44, D6, L4), but have won just one of the last seven league meetings with Liverpool (W1, D1, L5).
Players to watch: All three of Mohamed Salah’s PL goals have come at Anfield, while Sergio Agüerohas already notched five goals for City.
Stat attack: The last ten PL H2Hs at Anfield have seen the home side completely dominate before the break with 12 goals to three.
Liverpool last lost a PL match at Anfield back in April 2017, and have since recorded 16 wins and eight draws – with 17 clean sheets!
Both teams like to score early, and have walked off with a lead at half-time in 79% of their matches (cumulatively) this season.
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