Erling Haaland starts for Manchester City against Liverpool, who select Darwin Nunez to lead the line in their blockbuster Premier League clash at the Etihad.
Erling Haaland has been passed fit to start for Manchester City against Liverpool, who select Darwin Nunez to lead the line in their blockbuster Premier League clash at the Etihad.
Golden Boot winner Haaland had emerged as a slight doubt for the contest due to the ankle knock he sustained while representing Norway on international duty, but Pep Guardiola expressed hope that he would be able to play a part.
Haaland has indeed been given the green light to spearhead the Citizens’ charge against the Reds, where he will join Jeremy Doku and Julian Alvarez in the final third, with the latter deemed fit enough to participate after his South American exploits.
However, there is no place in the squad whatsoever for Jack Grealish, who is confirmed to be missing out through illness, but John Stones is surprisingly named on the bench despite his serious thigh problem.
Fellow defender Nathan Ake has also been given the thumbs-up to take his place in the first XI following an injury scare with the Netherlands, and he replaces Josko Gvardiol in the only change to the side from their 4-4 draw with Chelsea.
Sergio Gomez is also back among the substitutes after his ankle concern, while Ederson is passed fit to start in goal, but all of Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Kevin De Bruyne will not play any part for the champions.
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Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made two alterations from the side who eased past Brentford 3-0 a fortnight ago, as the returning Alexis Mac Allister takes his place in the engine room following his suspension.
Mac Allister was one of a few question marks for the Reds following his feats with Argentina in World Cup qualifying, but the 24-year-old slots straight back into the centre of the pitch in place of Wataru Endo.
A second change in midfield sees Curtis Jones displace Cody Gakpo in a surprise recall for the Englishman, who has only just recovered from a hamstring concern, and Ryan Gravenberch is therefore forced to accept a place on the bench after shaking off a knee issue.
Up top, Nunez has been given the nod to join Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah – who is only one goal away from registering 150 in the Premier League – in an unaltered attacking trident, as Luis Diaz joins the reserves in the dugout.
Despite Ibrahima Konate‘s recovery from a hamstring injury of his own, Klopp has once again placed his faith in Joel Matip, who makes his 200th appearance for the Reds alongside Virgil van Dijk in the rearguard.
Fellow defender Joe Gomez is among the substitutes too, having battled back from an unspecified issue, but none of Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara or Andrew Robertson are present.
Man City start the day one point clear of Liverpool in the Premier League table and have not lost a home top-flight game to the Reds since November 2015, as Klopp oversaw a 4-1 win in his eighth match in charge of the club.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Akanji; Foden, Silva, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Subs: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Phillips, Gomez, Gvardiol, Bobb, Lewis
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Jota
Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Endo, Diaz, Gakpo, Gomez, Elliott, Gravenberch, Quansah
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