Arne Slot to axe Jones, two changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Manchester City
Arne Slot is expected to make two changes to his starting line-up when Liverpool travel to Manchester City on Sunday.
The Reds could find their margin at the summit of the Premier League reduced to five points after a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on 19 February if Arsenal beat West Ham on Saturday (22 February).
Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley will miss the clash, while Cody Gakpo is a “close call.”
Failure to secure victory at the Etihad Stadium (23 February) would leave the Anfield outfit in a vulnerable position.
Liverpool to make two changes for Manchester City clash
Alisson is predicted to continue between the sticks despite a poor display against the Villans when conceding two goals and making just one save.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are expected to retain their places in the backline against the Citizens.
The latter was immense at Villa Park making up for a shambolic performance against Wolves as he won all four tackles he attempted and seven of eight ground duels for 100 and 88 per cent success rates.
Andy Robertson might be dropped in favour of Kostas Tsimikas after the Scotland captain won zero ground duels from the two that he contested and just one our of four aerial duels for a 25 per cent success rate.
Ryan Gravenberch has underwhelmed in recent weeks after enjoying a tremendous resurgence under Slot – he looks in desperate need of a rest but is unlikely to get one against Pep Guardiola’s side.
The Dutchman made just one pass into the final third and won just one of six ground duels for a 17 per cent success rate, which he will have to massively improve on in the Etihad clash.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to continue in the engine room, with the latter creating three chances against Unai Emery’s charges.
Curtis Jones to be dropped for Liverpool
Curtis Jones was handed a start after serving a ban against Wolves for his red card against Everton but he was anonymous on Wednesday evening as he created zero chances, was dribbled past twice and completed just four ground duels of the nine he attempted for a 44 per cent win ratio.
| Stats | Jones v Villa |
| Chances created | 0 |
| Dribbled past | 2 |
| Ground duels | 4/9 (44%) |
| Shots on target | 0 |
| Tackles won | 1/2 (50%) |
As a result, he is predicted to be axed in favour of Luis Diaz on the left wing with Mohamed Salah keeping his spot on the right flank after notching a goal and an assist against Villa.
Diogo Jota is expected to complete the Reds’ attack after he bagged an assist for Salah’s opener and had 11 touches in the opposition box, despite failing to notch a strike for himself he proved that he can be a dangerous asset in the run-in.
The L4 outfit needs to stamp their authority on the title race and not give Arsenal any hope as the season enters the business end.
They can start with a victory at the Etihad, something that they have not achieved since the 2015/16 season in Jurgen Klopp’s first season but this Man City side is not the same beast.