Manchester City face Liverpool this weekend, and there’s a palpable sense of anxiety among fans ahead of the clash.
City are enduring a tough spell, winless in six matches, and recently squandered a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League, finishing with a 3-3 draw. After that game, Pep Guardiola admitted the team is “not stable” at the moment, and the absence of Rodri has been a significant challenge.
Now, City head to Anfield—a daunting fixture under any circumstances. To make matters worse, Liverpool are in red-hot form. The Reds sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League and have just secured a statement win against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
On paper, it’s a colossal matchup, but Kyle Walker has downplayed the idea that Guardiola treats this game any differently. Speaking on the *You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker* podcast, Walker insisted:
“Listen, I will say this now and I’m not lying, Pep prepares for every game the same. But the lads, the emotion that’s running throughout, it’s bigger. You can feel it. It’s a must-win game. You need to take points off the teams fighting at the top with us, and hopefully, we can do that.”
### The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
Sunday’s game is pivotal. With Liverpool eight points ahead, City cannot afford a slip-up. A Liverpool win would open up an 11-point gap, potentially leaving City with too much ground to cover in their pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Despite Walker’s comments, the significance of this match is undeniable. A loss would deal a huge psychological blow to City, while even a draw might feel underwhelming given their current struggles. A victory, though, would be monumental—albeit difficult to envision given the form of both sides.
Fans will be hoping Pep Guardiola opts for a midfield that includes Matheus Nunes and, ideally, Kevin De Bruyne, if fit. Regardless of the lineup, City simply cannot afford to lose at Anfield.
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