The Crystal Ball: Manchester City vs. Liverpool

PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY STARTING XI: Ederson (GK); Walker, Laporte, Dias, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez. Formation 4-3-3

Guardiola was able to rest some of his first-choice eleven during their Champions League match with Olympiakos on Tuesday, meaning he’s got well-rested options ahead of a huge game.

Expect Pep to go with his usual stalwart between the sticks in Ederson and to give more opportunities for the promising partnership between Dias and Laporte at center half. With the addition of Ruben Dias, City are suddenly very well supplied with quality players at the center back position, a place where many felt they were too light last season after critical injuries.

In the midfield, look for Pep Guardiola to pick a more balanced midfielder like Gundogan to help blunt the Liverpool attack alongside Rodri. Gundogan is no slouch going forward either, so Foden only makes the subs. Kevin De Bruyne will be tasked with the creative responsibilities in midfield and luckily for City, he’s probably the best midfielder in the world at doing just that.

Gabriel Jesus will come back into the side to give Torres a rest and a chance to come off the bench in his more favored position at RW.

Ahead of this match, Jesus told BT Sport that he is “looking to improve [his] finishing all the time.” Pep won’t be disappointed to have more options in attack, especially now that Ferran Torres has proved his capability and versatility.