Manchester City have to take this Liverpool side on head-on. | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Liverpool tomorrow at Anfield in a crucial Premier League fixture. Manchester City’s overall record at Anfield is poor. Also, considering how successful Pep Guardiola’s recent City sides have been, they have also struggled to handle the occasion of playing Liverpool at Anfield. Tomorrow’s match does feel different. This Liverpool side isn’t managed by Jurgen Klopp, nor are they at the top of their game. This Liverpool side has their own attacking weapons, but they also have their frailties. Looking at how City should tackle tomorrow’s match, you do sense that Pep Guardiola’s side should take Liverpool on head-on if they are to prosper at Anfield.

Manchester City have the attacking weapons to get at Liverpool.

As much as this Manchester City side isn’t yet the all-conquering City sides that Pep Guardiola previously created, this Liverpool side isn’t anywhere near as fearsome as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool sides that pushed City to the brink during their rivalry. In fact, this Liverpool side currently isn’t even a patch on the side that won the Premier League in a canter last season. Yes, this City side has frailties, especially in the second half of matches. Having said that, Liverpool sit eight points behind Pep Guardiola’s side on the Premier League table. Also, Arne Slot’s side isn’t the strongest in defence or in midfield, so you do think that Manchester City’s best path to victory tomorrow is get at Arne Slot’s side.

Pep Guardiola’s side has the weapons in the final third, and in midfield to get at Liverpool’s defence. Defensively, Arne Slot’s side hasn’t been strong this season. They do give up chances and with Dominik Szoboslai possibly stepping in at right-back, there is a clear area for City to target at Anfield. Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden do have the potential to get at Liverpool’s defence. In the case of Semenyo or Marmoush, I expect one of them to start on the left-hand side of City’s attack tomorrow. They will fancy their chances of getting at Szoboslai if the Hungarian midfielder starts at right-back. Or Joe Gomez if he starts at right-back for Liverpool as he has on occasions.

The system Pep Guardiola has preferred this season does seem to be more than capable of getting at Liverpool. The 4-2-2-2 formation Guardiola has used has the potential to exploit Liverpool’s weaknesses. It may also play into Liverpool’s hands if City are sloppy in possession and don’t win their duels. But City have to embrace the challenge of attempting to beat Liverpool at Anfield. Playing to their strengths does look to be Manchester City’s best chance of picking up three points tomorrow.

One attacking weapon for City has said how fired up his team is to perform at Anfield.

Antoine Semenyo has revealed that this Manchester City side is fired up for tomorrow’s match against Liverpool. The Ghana international added that he is excited to play in a City/Liverpool match. Speaking with mancity.com on tomorrow’s match, Semenyo said: “As an outsider before joining here, it was always entertaining watching City and Liverpool. To be part of it, I’m so grateful but it’s going to be a challenge. We’re prepared for it and we’ll be fired up for it on the day. I’m looking forward to the game.”

Antoine Semenyo is looking forward to playing in his first Manchester City/Liverpool clash. If he starts, he will have a vital role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield, along with his teammates who start in City’s attack. I believe that City have to take on Liverpool head-on at Anfield to prosper. If they do that and can provide their attacking players with the service to thrive, Pep Guardiola’s side has every chance of picking up a rare win at Anfield tomorrow.