Jamie Carragher makes Liverpool v Manchester City prediction as Gary Neville previews Premier League clash

Jamie Carragher expects defending champions Manchester City to be held by struggling Liverpool this weekend, while Gary Neville says it will be ‘fascinating’ to see how Virgil van Dijk copes with Erling Haaland.

Man City travel to Anfield on Sunday for a mouth-watering clash between the two stand-out teams in the Premier League in recent years.

Liverpool finished just one point behind Pep Guardiola’s side last season but already find themselves 13 points adrift of Man City this term.

The Reds have won just two of their opening eight league games to slip to 11th, four points above the relegation zone.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are the only unbeaten team yet in the English top-flight, although they remain one point behind early Premier League leaders Arsenal.

‘I don’t expect Liverpool to take a backward step – it’s not their style,’ Carragher told Sky Sports when asked for his prediction.

‘They’re at Anfield so I expect to use the crowd and be really aggressive and make it as difficult as they can for Manchester City. I think it will be a tough game for both.

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‘Manchester City don’t have a great record at Anfield but Liverpool are up against the best team in the world. I think it will be a great game and a draw again – 1-1 or 2-2 like last season.’

Carragher also believes Liverpool should focus on stopping Kevin De Bruyne rather than Haaland, who has scored 20 goals in 12 games since joining Man City last summer.

The former England defender added: ‘Two Manchester City players jump out as players to watch for Liverpool – Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, but they’re almost like a package together!

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