How Manchester City line up in defence is worth keeping an eye on ahead of today’s match against Liverpool | OneFootball

When Manchester City play Liverpool the game always throws up questions ahead of kick-off. Given the quality of both teams which players could be match-winners is a popular topic of discussion amongst a variety of others. Today’s Premier League fixture at the Etihad is no different. One topic worth looking out for today is how Pep Guardiola’s side lines up in defence. The make-up of the Manchester City defence looks straightforward, but as we know, nothing is straightforward with a Pep Guardiola team selection.

The first choice Manchester City defence seems an easy selection but will Pep Guardiola change it up today?

The assumption is that Manchester City’s first-choice defence would be Matheus Nunes at right-back, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol at centre-back with Nico O’Reilly at left-back. Those four players have recently looked to have become Manchester City’s best back four. Their games complement each other and Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly do offer plenty going forward and are more than serviceable defensively. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are seemingly Pep Guardiola’s first-choice centre-back pairing and they are slowly becoming an elite pairing in the heart of City’s defence.

But the make-up of Manchester City’s defence today isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Typically, John Stones tends to start the big matches for Manchester City. He could slot in at centre-back and Josko Gvardiol could slide across to left-back. That is a move that we have seen Pep Guardiola employ recently. He may opt for experience today against Arne Slot’s side.

Another question is: Who will play at right-back? On form, Matheus Nunes deserves to start today’s match. He has been superb recently at right-back and the Portuguese international looks to have taken his game up a level this season. The question appears to be could Abdukodir Khusanov start at right-back? Khusanov’s pace and strength could prove to be more than useful against Liverpool’s attack. The bigger question mark would surround Khusanov’s fitness. The young defender has only recently returned from injury so it seems doubtful that he’d start today.

Summary.

The assumption would be that Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Nico O’Reilly will start in defence for Manchester City today. That would seemingly be the safe bet ahead of kickoff. Having said that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see John Stones start with his experience and ability in possession.

Whoever starts in defence for Manchester City today must be at their best to help Pep Guardiola’s side contain the formidable attacking threat that Liverpool poses and give City the opportunity to pick up a massive three points at the Etihad.