Liverpool v Manchester City: Team news
Liverpool are waiting on the fitness of Naby Keita for the visit of Manchester City, who have been boosted by the possible availability of Kevin de Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy.
Keita was forced off 20 minutes into the Champions League tie against Napoli on Wednesday due to a back spasm but has not been ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League fixture.
The Reds will see if the midfielder can participate in the team’s sessions ahead of the game, explained Jürgen Klopp at his pre-match press conference, adding: “It didn’t look too serious, so there’s a chance but we don’t know.”
Adam Lallana is in full training and there are no other new injury concerns for the clash with the only side who can match their 19 points in the league so far.
Liverpool have won each of the past three meetings between the clubs in all competitions but Klopp rejected the suggestion that there is a secret to overcoming Pep Guardiola’s charges.
“You have to be ready,” he said. “You need a fantastic football team – which I have, thank God – with an outstanding character, ready for being really brave, ready for making mistakes in a very difficult game against an outstanding opponent.
“That’s it and then it can work, that’s all we need to know.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold will celebrate his 20th birthday on the day of the game.
City had De Bruyne and Mendy in training on Friday afternoon and the pair are in contention to play at Anfield.
But Guardiola confirmed Fabian Delph is unavailable for the match and Ilkay Gundogan is a doubt after picking up a knock in the 2-1 win at Hoffenheim in midweek.
On the task of stopping Liverpool’s front three, the City boss said: “These guys are so dangerous and connect between them. [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah love running behind and they do it really well.
“I always believed and feel in my game we should attack better and be protected when we lose the ball. To minimise those three players on Sunday, we have to attack and be as good as possible.”
Last time out
Napoli v Liverpool, October 3: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Hoffenheim v Manchester City, October 2: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Kompany, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva, Sane, Sterling, Aguero.