Liverpool are still unbeaten in the Premier League in 2015, but this weekend they will face their toughest opponent so far this calendar year. Having played 120 minutes on Thursday night in the Europa League, Liverpool will undoubtedly go into this game with several tired bodies. This will only add to the difficulty of their task against the reigning English champions this weekend.
Manchester City have scored nine goals in their last two league matches, so it is vitally important that Liverpool continue to defend in the solid manner that they have in the last few months. After first-leg defeat to Barcelona in The Champions League, it now looks like City only have the league left to fight for, and with a five point gap between them and leaders Chelsea, they cannot afford to lose at Anfield. It would therefore be unsurprising to see Liverpool on the back foot for long periods of Sunday's clash. Brendan Rodgers said after Liverpool's last league outing - away to Southampton - that he was impressed with the way that his team "dominated without the ball." Liverpool's organised defensive structure will be crucial for them to succeed against Manchester City's formidable strike force.
It is likely that Rodgers will stick to the back three that has served him well recently, despite various injuries that shortened his options in Istanbul last night. If Mamadou Sakho does not return this week then at least one out of Kolo Toure and Dejan Lovren will feature, neither of which have played a lot of league football recently. Lovren's already low confidence will have taken yet another knock after his crucial penalty miss against Besiktas. If he does remain in the team to face City then it will be vital for Brendan Rodgers to ensure that his mind is cleared and he is fully focused on keeping arguably the league's best striker, Sergio Aguero, at bay.
However, Aguero may not be the greatest of Liverpool's worries. Manchester City star David Silva has been in devastating form of late. When Silva plays well, City play well, so it will be hugely important that Liverpool keep the Spanish playmaker as quiet as they possibly can. However, without Lucas Leiva, and the possibility of Emre Can returning to his role in defence, it could be that Liverpool play without a recognised defensive midfielder. This would potentially be a decision that can cost Liverpool the game, as Silva will comfortably capitalise on any space left infront of Liverpool's back line. Besiktas' goal last night came from this sort of situation. Gaps were being left infront of Liveprool's back three and after several threatening chances, the Turkish side finally scored. If Liverpool are to leave the same gaps in midfield this weekend then it is likely that the league's highest scoring side will punish such mistakes.
As much as Liverpool must be wary of City's threats, they have to pose some of their own. Goals have been lacking at Anfield, with Liverpool only scoring 20 times at home this campaign (City have 30 away from home.) Despite the return of Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool have still lacked the cutting edge that they showed consistently last season. Rodgers' side only needed to score once in Turkey last night to more or less kill off the tie, however never really looked like netting in the entire 120 minutes. The Reds will need to be much more creative and clinical in the final third of the pitch. The return of Philippe Coutinho to the side will obviously spark some creative flair into the side. Whether or not Rodgers decides to keep Balotelli and Sturridge up top together, Liverpool will desperately want to find some real goalscoring form, and the Brazilian magician would be key to helping them create problems for what has at times looked like a rather nervy City defence. If Liverpool can attack fluently with two attacking midfielders thriving off of Sturridge or Balotelli, then they can definitely cause damage up top.
Liverpool aren't likely to start this weekend's encounter in the same way that they did when the sides met last April. The 'gung-ho' all-out starts to matches aren't a commonality at Anfield any more, and Liverpool are much more reserved in their approach play. With City likely to come and attack Liverpool, knowing they can't afford to drop points between now and May, it is likely that Liverpool will soak up a relative amount of pressure and try to catch City out with their frightening pace up front. It will be a good test of Liverpool's defensive resolve, but if they perform like they have in all of their recent league matches, then they will be confident that they can stub out City's threat and prove that they are well placed in this top four battle.