Aymeric Laporte has been handed left back duty against Liverpool, with Kevin de Bruyne only fit enough to make the bench.
Leroy Sane also comes into the Manchester City team tonight as Riyad Mahrez drops to the bench for the top of the table clash.
Left back was a key issue for Pep Guardiola, with Benjamin Mendy injured and Fabian Delph suspended.
The City manager has opted to play Laporte out of position, with John Stones alongside Vincent Kompany in the centre of defence.
De Bruyne was a doubt after missing Sunday’s win against Southampton with a muscle injury.
He faced a late fitness test this morning before Guardiola made a final decision on his starting XI – and was only deemed able to be named on the bench.
Jurgen Klopp makes two changes for Liverpool’s crunch clash with Manchester City as the fit-again James Milner makes a surprise return.
The former City man takes his place in midfield having recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him out of the recent wins over Wolves and Newcastle.
He is joined by the returning Jordan Henderson, with Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri the men to miss out in the middle.
Elsewhere, the Reds line up as expected, with a now-familiar back five and famed front three.
Andy Robertson is part of the former despite rumours that he was set to be absent emerging on Thursday afternoon.
Guardiola knows tonight could be pivotal in the race for the title, with City potentially falling 10 points behind Liverpool at the top.
“The reality is clear, we are seven points down,” he said. “I have the feeling it is a big opportunity for us to reduce the gap. My focus is the same.
“Everybody asking me what will happen if you lose, but we are going to try to make our game, to and fight as far as possible for our chance to win the Premier League.”
Man City team to face Liverpool: Ederson, Danilo, Stones, Kompany, Laporte, Fernandinho, Bernardo, Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Subs: Muric, Walker, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Otamendi, Jesus
Liverpool team to face Man City: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Mignolet, Fabinho, Keita, Moreno, Strurridge, Lallana, Shaqiri
