LIVERPOOL roared back to life with a Champions League demolition job in midweek but defeat to rampant Manchester City at Anfield would kill off any lingering hope of a Premier League comeback.
Jurgen Klopp's men were back to their devastating best at Ibrox in midweek, scoring six times in the second half against Rangers to claim a 7-1 triumph that saw them plant one foot in the knockout stages.
But while things have been running relatively smoothly in Europe, it has been a different story on domestic duty with last weekend's 3-2 loss at Arsenal leaving them 14 points behind the early pace-setters.
Most people assumed it would be Liverpool and Manchester City slugging it out for the title again but instead it's Arsenal and Spurs who are giving the champions a run for their money.
Pep Guardiola's men remain unbeaten this season but two draws on their travels in the league have left them a point behind the Gunners at the top.
Now City face their toughest road trip so far at Anfield but Erling Haaland will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a Reds defence that has been so shaky.
The Norwegian goal machine was rested in midweek as Guardiola's side drew a rare blank in a 0-0 draw at FC Copenhagen that busted the coupon of our man Mark and countless others.
But that result was far from disastrous, especially with Manchester City playing for over an hour with 10 men, and they will be confident of a win at Anfield with Haaland leading the line once more.
How the bookies view it
Despite that thumping win in Europe, Liverpool are outsiders for this one and can be backed at 16/5 with SpreadEx. Manchester City's best price is just 13/15 with SBK while the draw pays 16/5 at Bet365.
Recent head to head
These sides have treated us to some thrillers over the past few years and there has been nothing between the sides. The last 10 meetings have produced three wins apiece and four draws, although Liverpool have come out on top in the last two matches, including a 3-1 triumph in this season's Community Shield.
Players to watch
Darwin Nunez delivered for me on a profitable night of Champions League action but the star man for Liverpool at Anfield was Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian scored twice and provided a classy assist for Nunez so he looks overpriced for a goal against City at 3/1 with Bet365.
As usual, Haaland is odds-on for anytime scorer at a best 8/11 with Unibet but backing the Norwegian to score first increases the odds to 3/1 with the same firm. He's also 100/30 with SkyBet to score two goals or more, a bet that has landed six times already this season.
Anything else catch the eye?
Goals have been guaranteed in this fixture of late, with BTTS and over 2.5 strikes landing in the last five meetings. Both teams to score is a tiny 1/2 (William Hill) here while over 2.5 goals is even shorter at 10/21 (QuinnBet). But over 1.5 first-half goals is better value at 5/4 with Coral, a bet that has landed in two of the last three meetings.
This fixture hasn't produced a lot of corners, with none of the last seven seeing over eight corners. That makes under 9.5 corners a good option here at 10/11 with BetVictor.
It will be fascinating to see who comes out on top in the battle between Haaland and Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool stopper has been looking a little vulnerable this season and might be worth backing for a card here at 15/4 with Bet365.
This English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City will be played on Oct 16, 2022 and kick off at 16:30. Check below for our tipsters best Liverpool vs Manchester City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
