Manchester City vs Liverpool preview: The rivalry continues

Friday 24 November 2023 by Jonathan Victoria  Features

With the last International break of the season out of the way, the Premier League returns this Saturday with an absolute banger of a match - Manchester City vs Liverpool.

These two sides have battled closely over the last five seasons, seeing City mostly get the better of the Reds of Merseyside bar one season.

The Premier League campaign so far has been very tasty, with the top five teams separated by just three points. A result one way or the other could have big implications going forward, so expect to see a barnstormer of a match.

Manchester City vs Liverpool: A quick history lesson

The rivalry between these two sides hasn’t always been there as historically there wasn’t really a contest until the 2010s.

Liverpool are one of England’s most successful sides of all time while City’s success has come over the last 15 years. Prior to that, while they did experience some golden periods in the 20th century, Liverpool was miles ahead of them.

There’s not much to even talk about before City’s rise to the top as there was such a gulf in standards, so we’re going to skip ahead to when this rivalry really started - Klopp vs Guardiola era.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are two of the greatest managers in the modern game and potentially of all time. Since the 2017/18 season, every league title has been won by one of the two.

During this period, they both have set six of the top eight highest points scored in a 38-game Premier League season, and each of the major individual player and manager end-of-season league awards has been won by a member of one of the two sides.

It has been a rivalry that has elevated the English game and produced some of the best competition that any league around the world has ever seen.

There has also been a number of players who have donned the shirt of both sides. Raheem Sterling is a name that comes to most people's mind in recent history, leaving Liverpool for City, but British legends such as Sir Matt Busby, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler have all played for both sides.

Manchester City vs Liverpool: All-time results

As we say, there really was no rivalry prior to the 2010s, so the all-time standings are very much in Liverpool’s favour still.

Their first meeting was back in 1893 when Liverpool beat City (who were known at the time as Ardwick) 1-0, setting the standard for what was largely to come for the next 115 years.

From their 192 meetings in total across all competitions, Liverpool has won 91 games, City has won 50 and there have been 51 draws.

The 2018/19 was undoubtedly the best season the two fought. The title went all the way to the final day, with City winning by just one point over Liverpool, 98 points to 97 - the third and fourth highest point totals in league history.

City would also go on to achieve an unprecedented domestic treble by winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, while Liverpool would further add to their English record tally of European titles by beating Tottenham in the Champions League final that season.

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Stats

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Last five results

The last five games in the league has seen City just eke out an advantage, winning twice to Liverpool’s one win and two draws.

• 1st April 2023 – Manchester City 4-1 Liverpool, Etihad Stadium
• 16th October 2022 – Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City, Anfield
• 10th April 2022 – Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool, Etihad Stadium
• 3rd October 2021 – Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City, Anfield
• 7th February 2021 – Liverpool 1-4 Manchester City, Anfield

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Prediction

One point separates these two in the league, with both looking at the top of their game so far this season. 

City have already experienced a slight hiccup in the title campaign, losing two straight games, something we don’t see often from them.

Since then, they have won three of their last four fixtures, with their last game against Chelsea being that 4-4 instant classic.

Liverpool, though, go into this game unbeaten in five games, last losing to Tottenham in September, so they have the slight advantage there.

In terms of difference makers, the Reds’ star man Mo Salah has looked back to his best this season, while over on the blue side of Manchester, Erling Haaland seems to be getting back into top form himself.

Both players scored a brace in their last game and are sitting second and first respectively in the golden boot race.

All said it is tough to pick a winner for this weekend. However, we’re going to give the nod to City simply because Klopp was complaining again about their schedule, this time in regards to yet another early Saturday kickoff.

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Where to watch

Manchester City vs Liverpool will be the opening showcase for the weekend, coming on Saturday at 12:30pm. You can watch the game live in the UK exclusively on TNT Sports.