Arne Slot faces Brendan Rodgers Liverpool dilemma after Man City Champions League surrender

Liverpool face a defining week as Arne Slot looks towards huge fixtures at Anfield against Real Madrid and Manchester City. The Reds can solidify their place in the Champions League knockouts next year whilst also dealing a near fatal blow to City's Premier League title defence.

If Slot's team want to be at their peak, this looks to be the perfect period. But realistically there is one game that matters most.

Whilst Madrid is a glamour fixture, the new league phase removes a lot of the jeopardy for Slot's side. Liverpool look set for a play-off tie at worst and will be confident of making there way through to the next round.

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Sunday's game against City meanwhile could see the Reds move 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola's struggling team. Many will argue that defeat at Anfield would all but end their title defence before the new year, a concept which was barely comprehendible in August.

Falling so far behind a team who have lost just once all season feels significant, particularly without the injured Rodri to underpin a leaky defence. City's aura has been further eroded after squandering a three goal lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday.

So does Slot choose to rest some of his best players against Madrid to have them in optimum condition for a huge league fixture?

It's a dilemma which former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers faced 10 years ago. Rodgers chose to rest key players Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling at the time before a league fixture against Chelsea.

The Reds weren't in a title race at the time but it was decided that their trip to the Santiago Bernabeu was less of a priority. Liverpool subsequently lost 1-0 in Spain before being beaten 2-1 by Chelsea a few days later.

Rodgers' decision backfired spectacularly with the Reds also suffering a Champions League group stage exit a month later. The scenario facing Slot is not quite as dramatic.

But the danger is that all momentum built form a near perfect start could be halted if he plays a weakened team against Madrid and loses. Defeat may also offer some encouragement to City whose confidence must be at rock bottom going into Sunday's game.

Slot faces a selection decision with the games coming thick and fast. Season defining may be too strong but Liverpool could take a huge step towards glory this week.