Joao Cancelo warms up before kick-off
(Getty)
Liverpool are hosting Manchester City at Anfield this afternoon in a battle between the reigning Premier League champions and the current league leaders. City come into the game two points clear of second-place Manchester United with two games in hand, while Liverpool are seven points off the summit after a run of disappointing results. Defeat to Brighton last time out meant rare back-to-back defeats at home for Liverpool, and City are aiming to deepen their troubles today.
The pot was stirred in the build-up by Jurgen Klopp, who claimed Pep Guardiola’s team had enjoyed a favourable schedule compared to his injury-blighted team. Liverpool remain without a number of key players including Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip ahead of the visit of this rampant City side, who have their won past nine Premier League games.
Follow all the action from the game below.
A 14th consecutive win in all competitions for Man City would equal the record by a top-flight English club, set by Preston in 1892 and matched by Arsenal in 1987. They could also keep a club record seventh Premier League clean sheet in a row.
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:18
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:15
Liverpool are in danger of losing three consecutive league games at Anfield, a sequence they last recorded in 1963. The Reds could also fail to score in four consecutive top-flight home matches for the first time in their history.
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:13
Reaction from Wolves’ Adama Traore
We had the chances to get the three points but we have to take the positive things and we had the chances. We have to keep going, keep fighting we will fight until the end. Sad because we didn’t score but we have to keep working and fighting.
“We did have many chances, we have to win every battle on the pitch and the final end is what we missed but we have to take positives we did well against a good team.
“We are moving in the right direction even if we didn’t finish in the final end but we have to keep working and we will improve on that aspect.”
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:10
Nuno Espirito Santo speaks to Sky Sports
It was a good performance. It was a tough game against a good team. We had chances. We are trying to stabilise the team so we can progress. We have a lot of players out. Trying to be compact.
“Jonny going off was something we decided between us, the medical staff and him. He played 45 and played good. It was a substitution regarding not today but the future.
“We had good chances. It will come. I am proud of the way they committed to playing a good team in possession. Positives.”
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:09
Liverpool have gone17 top-flight games unbeaten against Manchester City at Anfield with 12 wins and five draws. Their solitary home defeat in the last 29 meetings came in May 2003.
City’s 17-matchwinless streak at Liverpool is their longest in the Premier League away to any opponent.
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:08
If Manchester City win today they’ll open up a 10 point gap on Liverpool in the table. City have gone nine games unbeaten with Liverpool coming into the game on the back of consecutive defeats at Anfield.
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:03
Michael Jones7 February 2021 16:01
Reaction to come from Molineux but up next Liverpool host Man City at Anfield. Here’s another look at the two sides:
- LFC XI: Alisson, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, Jones, Thiago, Salah, Mane Firmino
- MCFC XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
Michael Jones7 February 2021 15:58
With that draw Leicester stay third but move three points ahead of Liverpool in the table as the champions prepare to face Manchester City next.
Wolves take a point but remain in 14th.
Michael Jones7 February 2021 15:57
