Mark Lawrenson predicts Liverpool v Manchester City
By Dominic Toner
Mark Lawrenson has predicted Liverpool to earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and will be hoping to consolidate their position in the top four.
The Merseyside club have recorded back-to-back victories over Burnley and Arsenal in their last two games, meaning they have got their bid for a Champions League spot back on track.
Meanwhile, Man City are a place above Liverpool in third and are also vying for a spot in Europe’s elite competition next season.
Pep Guardiola’s side were dumped out of the Champions League by Monaco on Wednesday night and have had less days to prepare for the weekend.
BBC pundit Lawrenson points to Liverpool’s unbeaten record against the top six this campaign and feels they will settle for a draw against Man City.
“I think it is a good time for Liverpool to play them, and we know what Jurgen Klopp’s side are like against the top teams anyway – they have not lost to anyone in the top six in 2016-17,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport. “There could be a backlash from City after their defeat by Monaco but, even if there is, I don’t see them keeping a clean sheet.
“The Reds will get chances but they will have work to do at the other end too. I am going for a draw, which I think Liverpool would take now.”
Klopp’s side have already beaten Man City this season courtesy of a Georginio Wijnaldum strike and have been sensational against their main rivals, while struggling against teams at the bottom end of the table.
The Reds will still be without their captain Jordan Henderson at the weekend, but much-criticised pair Emre Can and Wijnaldum have been pivotal in recent games.
Man City will be disappointed after their European exit and will need to get refocused for their domestic campaign, something Liverpool will hope to exploit.
In other Liverpool news, the club’s supporters reacted on Twitter after Ben Woodburn earned an international call-up.
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