Match Focus: Sterling to Take Centre Stage as Man City Host Liverpool

It’s always nice to have a big match to sink your teeth into following on from an international week, with El Clasico undoubtedly stealing the limelight upon the return to domestic action across Europe. There is, however, an intriguing game to look forward to in the Premier League too, with Manchester City and Liverpool both aiming to bounce back from disappointment ahead of the break.

Pellegrini’s league leaders fell foul of the new manager bounce as Remi Garde took charge of bottom club Aston Villa for the first time to secure an unlikely point against the Citizens. Meanwhile, another newcomer to the league in Jurgen Klopp was tasting defeat for the first time at the helm of Liverpool with yet another loss against the Reds’ bogey team Crystal Palace.

You have to look back to January 2012 to find the last time that either side kept a clean sheet in this fixture in the league, when City ran out convincing 3-0 winners. Since then each of the last 6 meetings between the sides in the top-flight have seen both teams register on the scoresheet, with 23 goals in total across said matches. In turn we can expect the abundance of attacking talent on display to have the biggest say on the outcome this weekend.

View the full match preview and predicted line-ups here

There is, of course, one big talking point surrounding Saturday evening’s kick-off, with Raheem Sterling set to face off against his former side for the first time. There is no love lost from Liverpool fans towards their one time sweetheart, so he is sure to get a frosty reception from the travelling support to say the least. How often, though, have we seen a player return to haunt his old employers and get the last laugh.

The England man has netted when the two sides have met in the past, scoring the opening goal for Liverpool against his new club in April of last year. The winger has made something of a modest start to life at the Etihad - a hat-trick against Bournemouth aside - with a rating of 7.04 from WhoScored.com down in 11th for Pellegrini’s side.

He will be hoping to return to form against his old club then, though having started both matches for England over the international break, his impact may wane as the game draws on. As a result I would suggest selling shares in Sterling in the match market at Buabook for anything north of £0.50 at half-time, with the youngster likely to be withdrawn from action after the break having been replaced more times (9) than any other Premier League player.

In contrast, Philippe Coutinho should be well rested having missed international duty with Brazil, and simply put when he is at his best, Liverpool have a chance of beating anyone. The trickster ran the show at Stamford Bridge in Klopp’s only league win to date, scoring twice as the Reds came from behind away from home. If they are to secure another victory on the road on Saturday, the 23-year old will surely be key.

Coutinho has previous against the league leaders, scoring the winning goal in two of the last three league meetings between the sides, so will be confident of not only adding to his goal tally, but building on a WhoScored.com rating of 7.20 - ranking second for Liverpool thus far. No player has had more shots per game (4.7) in the Premier League this season, and I’m tipping the Brazilian to keep Joe Hart busy in an entertaining affair at the Etihad. While it’s a risk given his inconsistency, I’d suggest buying shares during the game if available south of £0.60.

You can trade the values of any of the players on display as City host Liverpool with Buabook, the first player trading exchange based on detailed statistics