Emre Can Virgil van Dijk LiverpoolGetty Images

Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Manchester City

Liverpool begin life post-Philippe Coutinho with the fixture the Brazilian was most prolific in as they host the league's rampant leaders Manchester City.

The 25-year-old, now at Barcelona following a British-record £142 million transfer, netted five goals against Sunday's opponents at Anfield.

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Guardiola KloppGetty

The Reds will be determined to prove they can thwart Pep Guardiola's side without the playmaker, while exacting revenge for the 5-0 defeat in the reverse fixture, which saw Sadio Mane receive a red card.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League home games against Man City and have celebrated a victory in the last four in a row.


LIVERPOOL INJURIES


Mohamed Salah returned to training this week after sitting out the club's past two fixtures with a groin niggle.

Daniel Sturridge, who has not featured since the Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow on December 6, was also involved in the sessions after shaking off illness and a muscle issue. 

Alberto Moreno was back with the group on Thursday following an ankle lay-off, but is not likely to be involved on the weekend. Captain Jordan Henderson (hamstring) hasn't trained yet while Nathaniel Clyne (back) is a long-term absentee.

"If nothing happens in this moment, Mo is back, he is training completely normally," Klopp said on Friday.
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"Sturridge is back in training, healthy and on the way to be fit again. Hendo is in this moment out on the pitch and is training. It looks good – he wears football boots, that is always a good sign. He was not in team training so far.

Alberto MorenoGetty
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"Alberto was in team training yesterday, the first full session. He is a little bit early but after that he should be ready. He needs time for proper training of course.
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"The boys really do a lot in their rehab situation and, if we have time, we bring them a little bit later into team training so that they can do a little bit more specific physical work. But still they need time to adapt to the intensity of a football game. It looks really good, cool."

SUSPENSIONS


Neither side have any suspension concerns for this fixture.


LIVERPOOL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Salah should slot straight back into the XI, while Virgil van Dijk is in line to make his Premier League bow for Liverpool having scored on debut in the FA Cup victory over Everton.

Klopp's toughest call is who he opts for in midfield. Emre Can is most likely to start, with Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain competing to operate in tandem with the German. 

One of the latter two should take over creative duties in Coutinho's absence.

Possible Liverpool XI v Man City

MAN CITY TEAM NEWS


Guardiola's charges pose a considerable threat to Liverpool's chances of extending their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 18 games. They have dropped only two points away from home this season - in their last match at Crystal Palace.

City have also won all five fixtures against their 'Big Six' rivals in the campaign, scoring 15 while conceding just three. They have been the league's benchmark in all aspects and are targeting their first top-flight double over the Merseysiders since 1936-37.

Raheem Sterling Manchester City celebrateGetty Images

Former Liverpool star Raheem Sterling - City's top scorer in the division this season - can expect a hostile reaction from the home crowd again.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden are unavailable due to their respective knee and ankle injuries.

Vincent Kompany is closer to a return following a calf problem, but Benjamin Mendy remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee issue.


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


Kick off is at 4pm (9am CT) and the match will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK.


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Liverpool have conceded just four goals in their last 13 Premier League home games (W7 D6 L0), keeping nine clean sheets in that time.

  • The Reds haven’t won four Premier League games in a row since December 2016 – the fourth game of which was a home win against Manchester City.

  • No opposing manager has beaten Pep Guardiola more often than Jurgen Klopp in all competitions (4, level with Jose Mourinho).

  • Since Klopp took charge of Liverpool in October 2015, the Reds have won more points in Premier League games between the ‘big six’ than any other side (39). They also have more wins (9), fewer defeats (3) and more goals (40) than anyone else in these fixtures.

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