• If City are to win the title again, they have to beat Liverpool in front of the Kop fans — which they have achieved just once in 22 visits.
• Pep Guardiola is hoping that Salah does not make the starting line-up as it will give Nathan Ake an easier time against Harvey Elliott, who, to be fair, has played well on the right wing in the Egyptian’s absence.
Image: HANDOUT
Definitely the biggest match this weekend and possibly of the season given the clubs are separated by only a point at the top of the table.
If City are to win the title again, they have to beat Liverpool in front of the Kop fans — which they have achieved just once in 22 visits.
Big talking point is Mo Salah’s return from injury. He has been out for 12 of the last 13 games.
He played 47 minutes against Brentford last weekend, scoring one and assisting one.
Mo has scored in five of the six previous Premier League matches between these two sides.
Pep Guardiola is hoping that Salah does not make the starting line-up as it will give Nathan Ake an easier time against Harvey Elliott, who, to be fair, has played well on the right wing in the Egyptian’s absence.
For Mo not to play would be the equivalent of Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bryune not playing for City.
He is that influential and his absence would give City a mental boost.
Jurgen Klopp has asked Mo’s national team Egypt not to include him in this month’s international matches because he is still not 100 per cent fit and his muscle injury continues to be a worry.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo are back to replace the Reds’ stand-in youngsters. Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones all remain on the injury list but this game will be exhilarating.
Guardiola will again feature Phil Foden as the focal player upfront with De Bryune and Rodri feeding him those vital passes.
Foden is having the season of his life and will definitely play for England shortly with the England manager Gareth Southgate structuring his attacking midfield strategy around the 22-year-old.
He suffered a dead leg in the Brentford game but has run it off in training this week. Jeremy Doku did not face Copenhagen during the week after feeling pain in his hamstring.
Guardiola will assess his chances of playing against Liverpool but if he is missing either Julian Alvarez or Oscar Bobb could replace him.
Image: HANDOUT
Aston Villa v Tottenham
An important match with Villa fourth and Tottenham fifth and only five points apart but Spurs have a game in hand.
Ange Postecoglou replaced Rodrigo Bentancur with Brennan Johnson and he believes he might have strengthened his right hand midfield.
Playing behind Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, Johnson played with intensity and energy directly running at the opposition and made two assists.
Postecoglou is not a manager to show much emotion when the ball hits the net at either end of the pitch. However, even he was relieved and raised a smile when Timo Werner finally scored and will get another chance this weekend.
Richarlison contradicted Postecoglou when the coach said his striker would be out for two or three weeks but the player told us he would be back for the Villa game.
A decision will be made on Saturday morning. Another player being closely watched this week is Pape Sarr, who complained of back pain after playing for only eight minutes.
Postecoglou said: “He’s had a bit of a back issue since he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations…It doesn’t stop him training but it does restrict his movement.” Pedro Porro is expected to return.
Image: FILE
Chelsea v Newcastle
Two under pressure coaches with owners expecting results for their huge investments.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe threw his strategy book out of the window against Wolves last weekend and he will do the same against Chelsea.
His tactical change replaced the risky high pressing game and took a leaf out of Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho’s book by retreating into a safety first mode with defence first, restraining opponents and break away moves for goal.
Newcastle have conceded far too many goals lately and Howe knew he had to change that.
Wingback Kieran Trippier, who has played upfield attacking football in recent weeks rarely ventured over the half way line against Wolves.
Fullback Dan Burn was protected by Joe Willock which allowed Fabian Schar to use his creative skills and spray passes up to his forwards and three goals were built from the defence.
Howe has practiced this defence in training this week and concentrated on shackling Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson and the ever-roaming Conor Gallagher.
Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino faces another sort of problem. A banner at the Brentford ground last weekend read: “I don’t want your shirt, I want you to fight for ours.”
Fans and critics have accused players of not wanting to win enough.
Goalkeeper Djordije Petrovic made a statement after the dismal 2-2 draw with the Bees in which he intended to clarify the dressing room feeling at the moment. “All of us are behind the manager,” the Serbian claimed.
While Pochettino was facing the fans and media, owner Todd Boehly enjoyed himself at the Bahrain Grand Prix!
Pochettino will again rely on in-form Cole Palmer, Ben Chilwell and Gallagher in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
He was assessing the fitness of Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella on Thursday and they will be in his plans if fit.
Nkunku is still suffering from a hamstring injury and Enzo Fernandez is also struggling. Romeo Lavia, Lesly Ugochukwa and Carney Chukwuemeka are definitely out.