Thriller beckons at the Etihad

MANCHESTER — It is no surprise to see Raheem Sterling hogging all the attention ahead of kick-off, but Liverpool cannot afford to focus too much attention on their rebellious former player. The threats will come from all angles in Kevin de Bruyne, Jesus Navas, or fit-again David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

The Reds will try and fight fire with fire. This is traditionally a fixture that provides goals (23 in their last six contests) and it has never been Jurgen Klopp’s style to set up base on the edge of his own box and hope to withstand the bombardment. He will urge his men to keep the ball, and test Joe Hart in the City goal.

When they do not have it, Liverpool will press high up the pitch and hunt in packs, but that is unsustainable for 90 minutes against a team of City’s ilk. Their threat on the counter is just too scary. So, I expect most of their chasing, squeezing and general harassment to take place in the middle third, to crowd out the aforementioned havoc-makers.

Emre Can and hatchet man Lucas Leiva — concurrently the division’s most prolific tackler and foul-maker — have vital duties to fulfil. As for City, will Manuel Pellegrini leave Yaya Toure out? It is unusual, but if I were in the hot seat, it is a selection I would consider. Brazilians Fernandinho and Fernando have been solid and excellent as a central midfield pairing in recent weeks, while the Ivorian has only delivered sporadic moments of joy in the fabled No 10 spot. It is a big call to make.

ADRIAN CLARKE

LAST FIVE CLASHES:

Feb 2013 - Man City 2 Liverpool 2

Dec 2013 - Man City 2 Liverpool 1

April 2014 - Liverpool 3 Man City 2

Aug 2014 - Man City 3 Liverpool 1

Mar 2015 - Liverpool 2 Man City 1

OTHER BIG-MATCH PREDICTIONS

Watford v Manchester United

Strikers Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo will be handful to contain and it’s easier said than done to break the Hornets down. There won’t be much in this encounter. A 1-1 draw.

Chelsea v Norwich City

They’ve produced so much dross this season, but Chelsea’s revival has to start somewhere, and I expect it to come later today. Alex Neil’s men are brave, but defensively weak, so 2-0 to the Blues

Newcastle v Leicester City

The league table doesn’t look pretty but I’ve seen signs of improvement in the Magpies. They may not deny Jamie Vardy his 10th goal in as many games, but I have a hunch they’ll win 2-1

West Bromwich v Arsenal

Tony Pulis loves making Arsene Wenger squirm, but his West Brom outfit are a rung or three below the title-chasing Gunners.

It should be a comfortable 0-2 away victory.

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

This young, ebullient Spurs team is flying, and without their injured talisman Dmitri Payet I sense it could be a long evening for the depleted Hammers.

Spurs to win 3-1