The Man City XI Guardiola must pick vs. Liverpool

Manchester City travel to Merseyside this New Year’s Eve hoping to overcome Liverpool and claim their first victory at Anfield since 2003. A win for the Citizens would see them leapfrog the hosts and make an enormous stride towards a Premier League title challenge.

Since losing to Leicester at the beginning of the month, three successive victories over Watford, Arsenal, and Hull have given Pep Guardiola’s side a chance and ensured the gap between themselves and pace-setters Chelsea has not grown too vast.

However, against Liverpool, City come up against a team unbeaten at home in the Premier League this campaign and one also coming off three successive victories in recent weeks.

Three points may be on offer to both sides, but the significance of beating a title rival could have a greater impact mentally as we approach the business end of the season.

Without delaying anymore, here is the XI Guardiola must choose for Man City to overcome Liverpool…

GK: Claudio Bravo

After recently been voted the 4th best goalkeeper in the world by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), Bravo goes into the contest at Anfield full of confidence.

In recent weeks the Chilian stopper has remained consistent for the Citizens when called upon and nervousness looks to have vanished from his overall game.

RB: Bacary Sagna

33-years-old and lacking pace? Nonsense. Sagna is the one defender that has always performed for Guardiola.

At Anfield, the Frenchman is going to be tested to his maximum up against Roberto Firmino, but if the defender can hold his own, a victory for City is likely to occur.

Interestingly, Sagna hasn’t registered a goal for City in his three years at the club.

CB: Nicolas Otamendi

In December, Nicolas Otamendi has played three Premier League games with the team conceding only once.

The Argentine has become a leader in Guardiola’s defence and looks to be one of the Spaniard’s key men.

Otamendi must contain the in-form Divock Origi and guarantee his pace doesn’t trouble the centre-back pairing.

CB: Aleksandar Kolarov

He may not be flavour of the month among supporters, but Kolarov cannot be denied praise.

Only one goal conceded in three games since being reverted to centre-back this month has somewhat banished memories of his shaky performances earlier in the campaign.

LB: Gael Clichy

Again, if it’s not broken, why fix it? Clichy has become Guardiola’s first choice left-back in recent weeks, and his role at Anfield is arguably one of City’s most vital.

Preventing Sadio Mane having any impact on the game will be easier said than done, after all.

The French defender needs to put in another solid performance and is City’s only option at left-back with Kolarov being shifted to a more central role.

DM: Fernandinho

Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho can be described as the ‘perfect Pep player.’ His versatility and energy combined with his great footwork guarantee him a place in every City side when fit.

Fernandinho’s power and quick thinking could be the key to City dominating in midfield as Liverpool’s intensity will need to be combatted with quick passing for the entirety of the contest.

CM: Yaya Toure

Jose Mourinho recently described Paul Pogba as the “best midfielder in the world”. However, it seems the Portuguese tactician has forgotten about Toure.

The giant Ivorian has started four games since returning to first-team action in November, and City have been victorious in each contest.

Toure has won everything at City, but beating Liverpool at Anfield still eludes him in his illustrious career in England.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne

Belgian midfielder De Bruyne has regularly proven himself as City’s best performer in the bigger games.

Manchester United, Barcelona, and Arsenal were all unable to prevent De Bruyne from having an impact, and Klopp must guarantee his team do the same.

RM: Raheem Sterling

Even the most honest of Liverpool fans would admit regret over Raheem Sterling leaving the club, and now the winger has the opportunity to prove further why he made the right decision to leave the club.

Sterling’s pace against James Milner could be City’s biggest attacking threat and he must block out the boos and jeers to showcase why City value him so highly.

LM: Nolito

With Leroy Sane set to miss the clash through injury, Guardiola might opt to pick Nolito. A hard working wide player, the Spaniard certainly won’t shirk his defensive duties, while his spiky edge might be useful in an Anfield atmosphere Man City players have struggled with in the past.

He boasts a goal-threat, too, and offers more end product that Jesus Navas.

ST: Sergio Aguero

You don’t have a Ferrari and not drive it. Figuring Aguero is now eligible to play at Anfield, Guardiola has no option but to place his star striker in the XI.

Aguero’s record against Liverpool is pretty respectable, and the fact he continues to dig City out in big games means he must return to the starting team.