Liverpool head to Manchester City on Saturday for a clash between the Premier League’s top two teams, hoping to prove they are once again genuine title contenders.
The Reds have been City’s most consistent challengers during a dominant era for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Liverpool’s first title for 30 years in 2019/20 was the only time City have failed to become champions of England in the past six seasons.
In 2018/19 and 2021/22, they edged out Jurgen Klopp’s side by a single point in thrilling title races.
But it was Arsenal who pushed City close last season as Liverpool sank to fifth after coming agonisingly close to an unprecedented quadruple of trophies the previous year.
Klopp has christened his rejuvenated squad “Liverpool 2.0” but admits there is a long way to go before his new-look team reaches the stellar levels of his previous sides at Anfield.
Liverpool trail City by a single point at the top of the Premier League table, having lost just once in 12 Premier League games this season, in highly controversial fashion at Tottenham in September.
“We decided last year we had to change a lot,” said Klopp. “We are at the moment going in the right direction and that’s really important.”
However, they still have to prove they can again match the relentless City machine over the gruelling long haul of 38 games.
Anfield appears to have been restored as a fortress around which the foundations of a title tilt can be built — Liverpool have won all nine games in all competitions at home this season, scoring 27 goals in the process.
But Klopp’s men have won only two of their six away league games so far and face the ultimate challenge at the Etihad.
City have won 23 matches in a row at home in all competitions dating back to December last year.
