All eyes are on Erling Haaland as Liverpool prepares to head to the Etihad Stadium, knowing that it could take a huge step toward taking Manchester City’s Premier League crown.

The Reds will be aiming to take full advantage of Arsenal’s defeat against West Ham as they look to take an 11-point lead in the title race. Arne Slot’s side hasn’t quite been at its best in recent games, but the Gunners’ slip-up should give them a boost for today’s short journey to Manchester.

The Liverpool boss faces a big decision over Cody Gakpo’s fitness, with the winger having missed the last two games with an ankle knock. Pep Guardiola though is arguably facing an even bigger call.

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Haaland’s involvement in today’s game is under some doubt, with the Norwegian having been left on the bench against Real Madrid after picking up a knock against Newcastle last weekend. Guardiola gave nothing away when he was asked about his striker’s chances of playing on Friday, leaving some question marks over whether he will be involved.

“I don't know yet [if he is available],” Guardiola said. “Tomorrow we'll know it, I don't know yet. Yeah, maybe [I'm hopeful], but I don't know because we don't train today, until tomorrow he will test.”

City’s boss is fooling no-one though. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will be fully expecting to come up against Haaland, and the fact he even made the trip to Madrid suggests that his injury is not serious enough to rule him out today.

Guardiola though does have a few issues to contend with, especially after John Stones was forced off at the Bernabeu. Nathan Ake looks the most likely to replace him as he joins Ruben Dias, Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol in the back four, with Ederson getting the nod over Stefan Ortega in goal.

January signing Nico Gonzalez will be eyeing up a start, and he could line up alongside Mateo Kovacic in midfield, where they will be aiming to win the battle against Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. The Liverpool duo will be wary of Omar Marmoush, who has made an impressive start to life at City after scoring his first hat-trick for the club last week.

Phil Foden and Savinho get the nod on the wings, providing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson plenty of work, and - despite Guardiola’s efforts to throw us off the scent - Haaland starts up front. We’ll try and act surprised when he gets the nod later.

Man City predicted team vs Liverpool: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Kovacic, Marmoush, Foden, Savinho, Haaland.