All to play for as Liverpool host Manchester City

Liverpool have conceded first in 12 of their 24 league games this season. Last weekend it was Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon who beat Alisson to give his side the lead. Much of that vulnerability comes from a defence that has struggled for consistency, but up front, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have combined excellently and Arne Slot is getting the best out of both players. The Kop has quickly taken to them, and they are driven on by the crowd’s encouragement.

This game could hinge on that partnership after producing six goals this season, the most by any Premier League duo. Wirtz has perfected the art of short, precise passes into Ekitike’s path to score, and the striker said: “He is a great player who smells football, so it’s easy to play with him. I can do everything with that kind of player. I just have to run into free space and I know he will find me. It’s fun to play with him.”

Wirtz is certainly thriving, and since December 20, no Premier League player has more assists, with seven so far.

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Pep Guardiola is well aware of the Liverpool duo and has focused his backline training this week on stopping Wirtz and Ekitike. After throwing away a two-goal lead at Tottenham last weekend, the new partnership of Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov struggled at times and will need time to understand each other, bond and form a solid defensive unit.

On paper, City have the stronger team, but there is still something lacking, as Guardiola has admitted, and finding a solution is proving difficult. Up front, Erling Haaland and newly signed Antoine Semenyo are not yet linking up, although it is still early days after the forward’s move from Bournemouth. Semenyo, however, is dangerous whenever he is on the ball. Alongside Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki, this line-up has huge potential to blow defences away.

Liverpool’s current standout player, Dominik Szoboszlai, might not enjoy playing deeper, but it will be his job to marshal the defence and organise Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk — no longer quite the pillar he once was — and Milos Kerkez. He will also drive forward into central areas to play long passes into the path of Erling Haaland.

This game features two of the best goalkeepers in the world: City’s Donnarumma, who saved his side from defeat last weekend with some spectacular stops, and Liverpool’s Alisson, who remains rock solid and dependable, giving his defenders confidence.

Guardiola versus Arne Slot is a mouth-watering contest, with both managers needing a win — City to keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top and Liverpool as they push for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.

Manchester United V Tottenham Hotspur

Two teams meet after securing very impressive results last weekend, both producing their best performances of the season.

Michael Carrick has his United side superbly organised, with belief and confidence returning. Three wins from three have given the fans renewed hope and continued their recovery. This game could bring Carrick a fourth win in a row.

United’s central trio of captain Bruno Fernandes, with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro behind him, have bonded into a unit that is hard to beat.

Thomas Frank is playing a 3-4-2-1 system and is likely to have superior numbers in midfield. Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma, with Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons ahead of them, will take on United’s trio.

Simons and Dominik Solanke are in great form and will give United’s defence plenty to think about. For United, Harry Maguire is back in excellent form to command the backline, and the experience of Diogo Dalot, Lisandro “The Butcher” Martinez and Luke Shaw has restored confidence in front of goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Both Carrick and Frank believe the game could be decided in midfield. Tottenham might have superior numbers there, but they could be more exposed at the back, where Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes could hurt them.

Last weekend, Tottenham were dreadful in the first half against Manchester City but produced a splendid second-half performance that even Pep Guardiola struggled to contain. They will need to do the same this weekend, because 70,000 supporters cheering on United is worth an extra player. However, if Tottenham turn up and match their comeback against City, this could be one of the best matches of the season.

Both managers want to win badly. Carrick is building a strong claim to be appointed permanent coach at the end of the season, while Frank has eased the pressure on his position but must maintain the momentum of a Champions League win against Eintracht Frankfurt and the draw with City.