Manchester City vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp has a full squad to choose from for the weekend showdown

It goes without saying that the Sunday night clash between Manchester City and Liverpool is the match to look out for this weekend. With both teams separated by only one point in the Premier League table, the match at Etihad could mean more than just three points for both sides. Pep Guardiola’s City are marginally ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the standings as of now. A win for City could turn the title race in their favour, while a draw keeps the battle interesting till the end. Liverpool, on the other hand, will need nothing but a win to leapfrog their rivals. Regardless of the result, fans are in for a massive treat on Sunday.

Ahead of the blockbuster clash, Jurgen Klopp gave an update on his team’s situation. In the Champions League quarterfinal first-leg win over Benfica this midweek, Fabinho suffered a cut to his head. As of now, the Brazilian seems to be fine and in line to play the top of the table contest at Etihad on Sunday. When asked for a fitness update, Klopp, at his pre-match press conference on Friday, said: “When I looked last time on my smartphone, it looked like everyone is available again.”

READ MORE – Premier League Fixtures: What are the matches to look out for on Matchday 32?

Jurgen Klopp: Both teams really go for it

It will be welcome news for Liverpool fans that their entire first-team players are fit and ready for the pivotal clash. With the match happening at Etihad, Liverpool need as big a squad as possible to pose City a real threat. When asked about the kind of game he is expecting on Sunday, Klopp, as quoted by his club’s website, said, “Actually, a good one. I know that very often it doesn’t happen when two top teams face each other but I think our history with City shows that very often it was a pretty interesting watch because both teams really go for it and want to create opportunities, want to create chances, want to use momentum, want to use gaps, situations and all these kind of things. So, that’s why I expect an interesting football game, to be honest.”

For now, Klopp is not bothered about whether the upcoming clash will be a potential title decider or not. “I cannot decide what people think but we can just go through the possible results: if we win, we are two points up. If everybody thinks that’s done and dusted with the league, I cannot help. If we lose we are four points behind. If anyone thinks that’s it, I cannot change it, but I know nobody from a City point of view would think like that. If it’s a draw, one point behind. That’s it,” he added. 

“A very important game, I’m really looking forward to it, one of the biggest challenges you can face in football, but that’s really nice, that’s why you do these kinds of things. Imagine we would still be 14 or 15 points behind, it would still be a great game but a lack of something – meaning less and these kind of things. So, it’s good. We qualified for a great game with the season we played so far and I’m really happy we can be part of it. I can imagine a lot of people will watch it and we give it a try, that’s all I can say.”