Liverpool v Manchester City: Back summer signing to star in win | OneFootball

Listen to Football...Only Bettor Liverpool v Man City preview

Liverpool v Manchester CitySunday 08 February, 16:30

Liverpool showing glimpses of bright future, but doubts remain

Liverpool have won their last two competitive games with an aggregate score of 10 goals to one, they have just secured the summer transfer of one of Europe's best young centre-backs in Jeremy Jacquet, and they qualified directly for the last 16 of the Champions League. However, their participation in next season's tournament is far from certain, as the Reds are only sixth in the Premier League table.

LFC boss Arne Slot seems to have the staunch backing of owners FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes, but while some of the defensive gaps have been plugged in recent months, defeats like the 3-2 January reverse at Bournemouth follow an all too familiar pattern. Liverpool have already conceded 33 league goals, and in the top eight only Manchester United have a worse defensive record.

However, it is the Liverpool attack which is causing plenty of excitement, not least the developing click between striker Hugo Ekitike and playmaker Florian Wirtz. Both scored in Saturday night's 4-1 win over Newcastle, with Wirtz teeing up Ekitike's first goal. Across the Champions League and Premier League, Wirtz now has nine goal involvements, while Ekitike has a highly impressive 15.

Although the future arrival of Rennes centre-back Jacquet is welcome, Liverpool do have immediate injury concerns in the back line. Right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are out injured, although Joe Gomez could return. Record signing Alexander Isak is still sidelined by a leg fracture.

City's inconsistency is costing them a title push

It's the title race no-one seemingly wants to win. Leaders Arsenal have won one of their last four league matches, Manchester City have won one of their last six, while third-placed Aston Villa have won just two of their last six. This season City have only strung together a run of three straight league wins on two occasions, and while they have only lost one of their last 12 top-flight games, they have played out four draws in that sequence.

City's collapse at Tottenham last weekend, a game that saw them draw 2-2 despite having a 2-0 half-time lead, was indicative of their current fragility. They have recently lost at Manchester United in the league and at Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, and Pep Guardiola's men have recorded just one competitive away win in the last five attempts.

Cruel as it may seem, Rodri is perhaps the poster boy for this lack of consistency. The Ballon d'Or winner has looked a shadow of his usual self since recovering from a complex knee injury, and that's underlined by the number of yellow and red cards he is racking up. Rodri was sent off at Bodo/Glimt for picking up two cautions in quick succession, and he has been booked or sent off in four of his last five games.

Injuries haven't helped Guardiola's cause. John Stones and Josko Gvardiol are currently sidelined, and Ruben Dias isn't 100% fit. That means new signing Marc Guehi could partner youngster Abdukodir Khusanov at the heart of defence. Wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho are out, as is midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

Reds worth backing with insurance

Liverpool aren't impregnable at home, but have beaten both Madrid giants, Arsenal and Aston Villa at Anfield this term, and I'm happy to back them Draw No Bet here at 1.8 (see below for the odds in real time). We get a winner if Liverpool win, and our stake is returned if the game is drawn.

English Premier League: Liverpool v Man City (Draw no Bet)

Sunday 8 February, 4.30pm

In the Pep Guardiola era, City have never won a league game at Anfield with fans in the stadium (they won 4-1 in the COVID-affected era), and I have doubts over their back line for this game. Star striker Erling Haaland has scored in just two of his last 12 games, and he hasn't scored at Anfield since he was playing for RB Salzburg. City's away form has been poor, and while they had to play Newcastle on Wednesday in the League Cup semi-finals, Liverpool have had the rare luxury of a free week to prepare.

Wirtz to keep on producing

In my preview of Liverpool's clash with Newcastle, I successfully backed Florian Wirtz to score or assist at 11/10, and we can go to that well again and back him to net or make a goal at 7/5 on the Sportsbook. The German has been involved in a goal in seven of his last 11 competitive appearances.

As for Ekitike, the French international has found the net nine times across his last 12 appearances in all competitions. He can be backed in the Anytime Goalscorer market at 11/8. Wirtz has been teeing up Ekitike regularly of late, and you could use the Sportsbook's Bet Builder to combine a Wirtz assist and an Ekitike goal at 5.75.

Now read our other Premier League previews here!