Three key battles in Man City v Liverpool

Toure v Lucas

Yaya Toure has been in menacing form in recent weeks, proving that he is back to his best for Manchester City. The 32-year-old Ivorian midfielder has scored two goals and has made four assists in 11 Premier League games, thriving in an advanced midfield role. Lucas Leiva will be tasked with halting Toure’s marauding runs forward into Simon Mignolet’s penalty area. Like Toure, Lucas has brushed off speculation surrounding his future in the summer and has become a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The Brazilian will need to be at his calculating best against City’s powerhouse, with another Stamford Bridge-like performance required.

Fernando v Coutinho

Liverpool will hope Philippe Coutinho can also replicate his performance against the defending Premier League champions at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. The South American picked Chelsea’s defence apart with his skill and finishing at The Bridge. The 23-year-old has been the standout player under Klopp so far, scoring three times in four Premier League games. His compatriot Fernando will be tasked with keeping a harness on Coutinho, averaging 2.5 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per match in the Premier League this season.

Sterling v Clyne

The focus will be on Raheem Sterling on Saturday evening after the forward completed a £49m move to The Etihad from Anfield in the summer transfer window. The England international has netted four times in 10 games, including his first Premier League hat-trick last month. Nathaniel Clyne has been the pick of Liverpool’s summer arrivals. He hasn’t missed a minute of Premier League football so far, and he should be more than a match for the pace of Sterling.

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