Liverpool will pose a real test for a resurgent Manchester City on Sunday | OneFootball

In their past two matches, there have been real signs on display that Manchester City have turned a corner. They have rebounded quickly from a disappointing defeat to Aston Villa by beating Bournemouth and Borussia Dortmund in style. The way Bournemouth and Dortmund play is similar to Arne Slot’s Liverpool side. As good as City’s wins over Bournemouth and Dortmund have been, this Sunday’s match at the Etihad against the current Premier League champions will be a real test for a resurgent Manchester City side.

After a recent blip, Liverpool is showing signs of life.

Arne Slot’s side had seemingly made a fast start to the 25/26 season. They won their first five games of the Premier League season before losing their next four matches in the league. Liverpool did return to winning ways last weekend with a 2-nil win over Aston Villa. They followed that win with an impressive 1-nil win over Real Madrid at Anfield. So after their recent blip, there are signs that the Premier League champions are beginning to come back to life. Although the frailties that saw them lose four consecutive matches in the Premier League remain and City could look to exploit them on Sunday.

A look at the Liverpool squad shows that they are a team full of attacking options. Big money signing Alexander Isak is unlikely to play on Sunday after only recently resuming training after being out injured for the past three weeks. But Hugo Ekitike, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Alexis MacAllister and company pack a punch in the final third. Wirtz has made a slow start to life in the Premier League but his quality and pedigree are well-known. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboslai bring goals from midfield and City must be at their best defensively to keep Arne Slot’s side out tomorrow.

Defensively, Liverpool are solid without being spectacular so far this season. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate do form a solid centre-back pairing. Their Premier League champions have looked better defensively with Andy Robertson and Conor Bradley playing at left and right-back. But their lack of a proper number six in midfield may be a weakness that Pep Guardiola’s side can exploit at the Etihad.

Summary.

On paper, Liverpool should pose a significant test for a resurgent Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday. Arne Slot’s side look to have turned a corner after their recent stutter. There is no doubt that the Premier League champions will look to press City high up the pitch at the Etihad, although they may not be as aggressive as Bournemouth were a week ago. If Pep Guardiola’s side can play their way through Liverpool’s press on Sunday it may pave the way for a City victory. But if Liverpool are at their best a tough challenge awaits City tomorrow.

Manchester City are beginning to grow into the 25/26 season. Liverpool are next on the agenda for Pep Guardiola’s side and a tough fixture awaits City and if they can beat the Premier League champions it could prove to be a massive result for City’s confidence and momentum entering the international break.