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For the first time in the Premier League era, roles will be reversed when Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad.
Last season’s runners-up take on the champions on Sunday afternoon and will no doubt be desperate to show they are capable of bringing them closer this time.
Pep Guardiola’s side have not achieved that so far, being thrashed by Leicester and losing points to West Ham and Leeds United.
However, they will be buoyed by Jurgen Klopp’s defensive headache as he decides whether Joel Matip, Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips will join Joe Gomez on defense.
Virgil van Dijk’s ACL injury, sustained in last month’s Merseyside derby courtesy of Jordan Pickford’s reckless defiance, has likely ruled him out for most of the season.
The Dutchman has had a transformative impact on the Reds’ defense since arriving from Southampton, hence the anger of many Liverpool fans towards the Everton goalkeeper following the incident.
Criticisms of Pickford have gone too far, and the England international even had to hire bodyguards after receiving death threats, according to the Daily Mail.
However, the 26-year-old has an ally in the Ederson plug.
The Manchester City goalkeeper has defended Pickford and compared the tackle to Sadio Mane’s infamous kick to the face three years ago.
“First of all, I don’t think any player will step onto the pitch looking to hurt an opponent,” said the Brazilian through Goal.
“Sometimes you have a fraction of a second to make a decision.
“Unfortunately, Jordan Pickford had that clash with Van Dijk and it ended up resulting in a serious injury. That’s part of football, it happens sometimes.
“It could happen to any of us. I don’t think Pickford intended to injure Van Dijk, and in the same way, I don’t think Mane’s intention was to do that when he faced me in our game a few years ago. You have so little time to make a decision and it can happen to any of us. “
Even without Van Dijk, Liverpool have wasted no time getting back on track for the past fortnight in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
“His best center-back Van Dijk is out. Fabinho has been playing very well this season and is also out. But we must not forget that Liverpool still have great players, “added Ederson.
“Their absences will not be a great disadvantage for them or a great advantage for us. We do not focus on players who are not going to play, or a specific absence, we focus on Liverpool as a complete team.
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