Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview: Guardiola's Possible Defensive Approach Could Leverage Haaland's Strengths for an Unbeaten Edge

At 00:30 on February 9th Beijing time, the 25th round of the Premier League will see a top-level showdown as Liverpool hosts Manchester City.

Liverpool vs Manchester City, the match highlights are as follows:

First:Team ConditionsAfter 24 rounds of the Premier League, Liverpool stands with 11 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses, accumulating 39 points and ranking sixth; Manchester City has 14 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses, with 47 points, positioned second. In the last round, Liverpool won 4-1 at home against Newcastle, with newcomers Wirtz and Ekittik scoring, ending a five-match winless streak in the league; Manchester City drew 2-2 away at Tottenham, having only one win in the last six matches, but midweek they secured a 3-1 home victory over Newcastle in the League Cup to reach the final.

Second:If Guardiola adopts a defensive stance and counters, Haaland's advantages could ensure an unbeaten resultManchester City and Liverpool have been the two strongest teams in the Premier League over the past decade, but this season both have faced challenges with squad transitions, experiencing lows yet striving to improve. Liverpool's Bundesliga recruits are settling in well, with Salah assisting Wirtz being a positive sign. Guardiola has also strengthened Manchester City timely by signing Semenyo and Guehi, reinforcing both attack and defense. However, recently Haaland and Foden have been in poor form; Haaland tends to disappear in tough matches and has been largely invisible in most Premier League games. Liverpool benefits from home advantage, and if Guardiola chooses to concede some possession and speed up the attack—not just passing sideways or backward to maintain possession but launching quick counterattacks—he could exploit Haaland's height and speed. This match is hard to predict; Arsenal won, Aston Villa drew and dropped points, so if Manchester City also slips, the Premier League title race could become a foregone conclusion, which the league does not want. Manchester City will definitely give their all, and Liverpool will fight hard to secure a top-five finish.

My personal view is that the team focusing on possession might be more likely to lose; it depends on whose tactics can suppress the opponent. If Manchester City plays counterattack, they could take points at Anfield.

In the last six encounters between the two sides, the record is 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses each—very evenly matched.

Injury and suspension updates: Liverpool hasIsak, Bradley, Gomez (doubtful), Frimpong, and Leoni; Manchester City hasSemenyo, Guehi, Kovacic, Stones, Doku, and Bernardo Silva (doubtful).