The Premier League title race won’t be decided this weekend, but we will witness the first major struggle in the battle to claim the trophy.
Liverpool and Manchester City have dominated the summit of the top-flight across the last three seasons, and on Sunday they will meet at the Etihad for a clash of titans.
Neither side has looked quite as imperious so far this season, but they know this is an opportunity to make a statement and deal a hammer blow to their greatest rival.
“It’s always nice to play against the strongest teams and last year they were stronger,” Pep Guardiola said .
“They are an exceptional team, they have had the same manager for a long time and it is nice to face him all the time to improve our level.”
Guardiola confirmed in the build-up to the game that Sergio Aguero is nearing full fitness, but won’t be available to face the Reds on Sunday, and that had City fans curious what changes Guardiola will make for the game.
The City boss opted to utilise summer signing Ferran Torres in the central striker role midweek against Olympiacos and it produced a goal for the Spaniard after just 12 minutes.
The game finished 3-0 and continued Guardiola's side flawless start in the Champions League that means they sit top of Group C on nine points.
Guardiola opted to make several changes midweek with a view to resting players for Liverpool.
Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy remain sidelined for City, but the biggest decision will come at the top of the field.
In midfield, it is almost guaranteed that Rodri will be partnered by Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
Phil Foden could also be handed a start as Guardiola decides whether to use Raheem as a central striker or out wide with Ferran Torres making up the front-three.
Gabriel Jesus is fit again, and if Guardiola is keen for a more traditional centre forward he has that in the Brazilian.
Liam Delap has been briefly exposed to first-team football but it is too early to throw the youngster into a game of this magnitude.
The role of striker in a Guardiola side is closer to a false nine, and for that reason he could comfortably continue his trend of using Torres or Sterling.
If he is keen for his striker to play with their back to goal then it is likely Jesus will start, although the Spaniard, as detail-orientated as he is, may consider it too early to start Jesus.
Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Foden, Torres, Sterling.
