“It’s a marathon, not a sprint” is as shopworn a cliche as possible, but it’s a concept that certainly applies to the Premier League title race. It’s painful to repeat that platitude, but you must remember it Thursday night when the Liverpool at Manchester City result goes final. Once this game is over, there will still be 17 matches left, and Liverpool’s lead at the top of table will either be a.) 10 points b.) unchanged or c.) 4 points.
Obviously, if it’s a.) City will be in a very deep hole with a lot of work to do in the second half of the season, b.) a big blown opportunity for Pep Guardiola and company c.) a signal that the title race is really on this season.
Truly, there is no more need for preface than that. What’s on the line here really speaks for itself, so let’s take a look at the fitness situation for both sides.
For the hosts, it all starts with all-world midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. The 27-year-old Belgian didn’t travel to Southampton for City’s win on Sunday due to a muscular injury. Given what Guardiola had to say about the situation: “It’s not a big issue, but I cannot say if he will be able to play on Thursday,” he is a doubt to say the least.
Another midfielder who also missed the weekend win, Ilkay Gundogan, is also doubtful. Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo remain long-term absentees.
Additionally, Fabian Delph is suspended for this one.
On the other side, Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have a ton of fitness concerns to stress over. A late fitness test is in the cards for James Milner, who missed wins over Newcastle and Arsenal due to a hamstring issue. And of course you still have the long-term injury absentees:
Joe Gomez (fractured leg), Joel Matip (broken collarbone), Rhian Brewster (ankle injury) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (multiple knee ligament damage).
Liverpool at Manchester City FYIs
Kick-off: 8:00 pm (BST), 3:00 pm (EST) Thursday January 3, City of Manchester Stadium
Google Result Probability: Manchester City win- 47%, Draw 26%, Liverpool win- 27%
Odds via Bet365: Manchester City 21/20, draw 29/10, Liverpool 5/2
Recent form: Liverpool- WWWWWW Manchester City- WLWLLW
Manager Press Conference Videos and Quotes: coming tomorrow
Starting XI Predictions for both teams: Liverpool Manchester City
Prediction: City 2, Liverpool 2
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.