Manchester City Vs Liverpool: Special Match In Pep Guardiola's 1,000th Party

JAKARTA - A special game waiting this weekend at the Etihad Stadium, Sunday 9 November. Pep Guardiola, will lead the 1,000th match in his managerial career when Manchester City host defending Premier League champions Liverpool, in a major party that can determine the direction of the title race this season.

The Citizens are now one point ahead and one place from Liverpool in the standings after 10 games, but Arne Slot's men are on the rise after shaking at the start of the season.

When Guardiola first coached a professional game 18 years ago,mission-Goran Erikssonwas still in charge of Manchester City, the duo Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were still shining at Manchester United, and Sean Kingston's song Beautiful Girls was topping the UK charts.

Now, the Catalonia coach has reached a milestone of 1,000 matches, and he sees Liverpool as the most appropriate opponent to mark that historic moment, although of course he prefers it when Jurgen Klopp is still trained.

Guardiola's 999th game was perfect, with a 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Phil Foden looked charming, while Erling Haaland scored again as City's first player to score in five consecutive Champions League games.

An additional three points at the Etihad on Sunday 9 November will bring City closer to Arsenal, who are at the top of the table on the condition that Sunderland can hold or beat the Gunners on Saturday night. City are also sharp, scoring 10 goals in just the last three games in all competitions.

Liverpool a few weeks ago were still in trouble at the back, failing to record a single clean sheet in 10 matches between September 17 and October 29. However, Arne Slot's troops are now starting to stabilize.

A 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League was followed by a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League, making Liverpool confidence again. Only Thibaut Courtois' brilliant action prevented a bigger score at Anfield in the middle of last week.

Now Liverpool are back up to the top three, but have to stop the bad trend in away matches: three consecutive defeats in the Premier League. If they lose again at the Etihad, they will carve four consecutive away defeats for the first time since April 2012 in the Kenny Dalglish era.

Slot did have a good record against City last season' two wins 2-0 but the Reds have never won in two consecutive away games against City in Premier League history.

Guardiola is back without Rodri who is still in physical condition and is likely to return after the international break. Mateo Kovacic is also long-term absence from an ankle injury. That way, City's line-up is likely to not change from Dortmund's win over Dortmund.

Erling Haaland is now just two goals left to score 100 goals in the Premier League. If he scores two goals in this match, he will be the fastest player to reach that record, surpassing Alan Shearer (100 goals in 124 matches).

In the Liverpool camp, striker Alexander Isak is still doubtful due to a groin injury he picked up against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League last month. Arne Slot has confirmed that Isak will not appear as a starter.

Liverpool also lost Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), Alisson Becker (hamstring), and Giovanni Leoni (ACL injury).

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, who scored against Aston Villa, has the chance to break the record for most goals + assists for a Premier League club. Currently he is rivaling Wayne Rooney's record (276 contributions) to Manchester United.

Liverpool are indeed starting to get back solid, but their back line has not really been tested by attacks like Manchester City. With Haaland being hot, Foden in top form, and Rayan Cherki getting more creative, City has all the weapons to damage the Reds' defense.

Although Liverpool have longer rest times and are in a positive trend, City's offensive power at home seems too heavy to stop. Guardiola looks set to celebrate his 1,000th game with a narrow but historic victory.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1):Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'ziel; Gonzalez; Cherki, Silva, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike