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Manchester City were so dominant last season because they had long spells where they were near their peak.
In contrast, I don't think either of these teams are playing near their best level yet.
But from my memory of winning the league myself with Liverpool, that does not matter - you just try to win games, regardless of how well you are playing.

And both teams just seem to keep on doing that. They are still getting results in the Premier League despite their players not really hitting their stride individually or collectively.
People are seeing City and Liverpool both being in quite average form as being a negative issue but, if you look at it another way, then they are both near the top of the table and they haven't even started playing the way they can.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Chris's prediction: This is the big one. I really think anything could happen at this game but it is at Anfield so I am going to give Liverpool the benefit of the doubt. 2-1

I'm slightly favouring Manchester City. For me, it looks like hard work for Liverpool at the moment.

Last week they had a great game against Chelsea but I think it took its toll on Jurgen Klopp's team. Their pressing from the front looks like hard work whereas last year it looked natural. I think they are going to fall asleep a couple of times during the game for City to punish them.

The pressure will be on City though. If Liverpool can pick up a win they'll be serious contenders for the title. However, a win for City and I think they'll run away with it again. The big difference is that certain Liverpool players have to play all the time and that will take its toll.

If Raheem Sterling, who has been great for City, doesn't play in a certain game he wouldn't really be missed but Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk, the full-backs and James Milner they have to play all the time otherwise the team gets severely weakened. Someone like Daniel Sturridge has come in and done well but can he do that for 10 games on the trot?

That's the reason why I think City will have the edge. It's at Anfield and the Liverpool fans are as good as anybody else's fans, but I just think the last couple of games will have taken something out of Liverpool.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 ()

Hutch's Shoulder wrote:Lawro: ' from my memory of winning the league myself with Liverpool' - a bloody good memory to go that far back!

Beefymcfc wrote:Lawro's points are all about hope rather than reality. If you're a pundit then you have to leave the emotional side behind and the line about 'Both being in average form' is a real tell when you consider we've won our last 4 whilst the Dippers have lost 2 in the last 3, or 1 win in the same period.

Beefymcfc wrote:I'd agree with Merson, apart from 'the pressure is on City' line. However, the Anfield thing is not just a Guardioka issue, it's more deep routed than that and goes a long way back. The game Sunday should be a 50/50 who should win bit because it's there then I have to say it's more 70/30 in their favour, even with their exertions of late.

I've even put us down for a loss on the Predictor, I have that little faith in us going to Klanfield!