Liverpool v Manchester City
Anfield
Saturday 21st November 2009

If under-fire Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez thought that the international break might hand him a reprieve from the flood of negative headlines swamping the Merseyside club, he was sadly mistaken. With news emerging that the Reds are in debt to the tune of nearly $500 million, speculation has grown that star striker Fernando Torres may be sold during the January transfer window in a bid to ease the club’s financial plight. A dismissive Benitez responded by claiming that he would resign if his fellow-Spaniard were indeed to be shipped out, but his immediate concern involves trying to get his leading scorer back on the field. Torres is still battling a sportsman’s hernia and it remains unclear whether he will be passed fit for Saturday’s Anfield clash.

On a brighter note for the home side, talismanic midfielder Steven Gerrard has declared that he will be ready to take on City despite missing England’s friendly defeat at the hands of Brazil with a groin injury. Big-money capture Alberto Aquilani may also be in contention to make his first start for the club after two substitute appearances in recent weeks, but Swiss defender Philipp Degen is ruled out by suspension.

Benitez’s opposite number Mark Hughes also endured a less than relaxing international break, losing the services of midfielder Martin Petrov after he picked up a knee injury while playing for Bulgaria and having his patience tested by Robinho who made a late return to City’s Abu Dhabi training camp after joining up with the Brazilian squad in nearby Qatar. The former Real Madrid man is carrying an injury and is not expected to feature at Anfield. City continue to be linked with a string of mega-money January transfer swoops, but despite having spent over $400 million in the summer, Hughes has insisted that their season should not be judged a failure if they finish outside the top four.

Three points on Saturday would undoubtedly serve as a warning that City are indeed becoming a major Premiership force, but with just one victory from their last 20 trips to Anfield, history is very much against them.
With both sides coming into the game under something of a cloud and struggling for confidence there could be errors aplenty on Saturday and it may be a case of the team that makes the fewest prevailing. It’s a tricky one to call and a draw looks a decent bet here.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City