Mohamed Salah and David Silva
Mohamed Salah and David Silva

Liverpool v Manchester City head to head analysis ahead of Champions League quarter-final


The Reds' record against the City, Jurgen Klopp v Pep Guardiola and much more...

It's one of the most eagerly-anticipated meetings of the season as Manchester City face Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

It's so big, these two Champions League meetings even overshadow both sides facing their derby foes at the weekend, and could even see them play weakened sides against Everton and Manchester United on Saturday, such is the desire to progress in Europe.

We should have goals, that one thing is for certain, but how do these sides measure up? Let's have a look ...

Sky Bet match odds: Liverpool 19/10 Draw 13/5 Man City 13/10

Head-to-head record

Let's start with their overall record in games against each other. This obviously takes into account Liverpool's glory years of dominance and that may be something that City go on to emulate over the next few years under Pep Guardiola and with the fortunes he's being back with.


Played (competitive matches): 178

Liverpool wins: 87

Draws: 46

Man City wins: 45


Their two league meetings have been eventful, City winning 5-0 against ten-men at the Etihad before a thrilling 4-3 Liverpool win at Anfield in January. City have won just one of the last eight meetings in 90 minutes - although they crucially won the Capital One Cup on penalties.

City's record at Anfield is pretty grim, they've not won there in 15 years and 16 games, but this being European competition winning the first leg is not all-important - a 4-3 defeat like January would make Guardiola confident of getting through from the second leg at home.

Klopp v Guardiola

Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp

Guardiola is looking like a coaching Superman as he steers his side towards an easy Premier League title win, but there is just a chance that Klopp could be his kryptonite thanks to his record against the Spanish tactician.

Klopp has six wins and a draw in 12 games against Guardiola whilst manager of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool against Bayern Munich and Manchester City respectively - making him the most successful manager against the Spaniard.

It's not a dominant record by any means, and Liverpool did get stuffed 5-0 at the Etihad this season, but it does show that Klopp can get some success against a manager few others can master.

There seems to be similarities and mutal respect between the two coaches - neither will budge from their footballing philosophies and as they say in boxing styles make fights, and these two teams' styles should again make for a pulsating contest.

To qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals: Man City 4/9 Liverpool 13/8

Attack v Attack

Mohamed Salah and David Silva

Liverpool have scored 75 goals in the Premier League this season, Manchester City have 88 and everything we know about both teams tell us that there will be goals in this tie - they scored 12 in two league games this season.

Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane lead the line for Liverpool with pace, precision, pressing and, most importantly, goals - we know all about how they play but Guardiola makes no special plans for these three forwards, he'll still back his side to play out from the back.

Liverpool v Man City - First goalscorer odds

  • Salah - 7/2
  • Aguero - 4/1
  • Jesus - 9/2
  • Firmino - 11/2
  • Sterling - 11/2

The main danger comes from a bit deeper for City in the form of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, who keep the ball wonderfully and then supply the bullets for Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and either Gabriel Jesus or Sergio Aguero.

Neither defence seems able to contain the opposing attack, so it could also be a case of who can score more in a goal fest in both matches.

Neither manager also seems able, or more importantly willing, to compromise on their attacking philosophy to try and shut up shop at the back and try to keep it tight as these European games so frequently are - this tie should be a thriller.

City v Anfield atmosphere

The Kop at Anfield

It's always mentioned with Liverpool games but European nights at Anfield are something special - many roll their eyes but opposing players and managers have confirmed that when the Kop is in full voice it's tough to beat Liverpool at home in Europe.

A key factor here could be that the first leg is being staged at Anfield and not the second, and if any team can silence the crowd then it's City with their fantastic possession football - but as Guardiola has admitted they have already suffered at the hands of the Liverpool crowd this year.

"We lost a bit of control. We were involved in the environment of Anfield, for many reasons," Guardiola said after defeat in January - still their only loss in the Premier League this season.

The crowd will be up for it, if Liverpool make one of their fast starts and give them something to shout about then it could well be a long night for City - although with a second leg at home to come and with their attacking firepower they'll always be in the tie.

Key Battle - midfield

Emre Can could miss the game with injury

With both sides able to bang in the goals and neither side really keen on keeping them out at the other end, control of the midfield area could well be the key battleground their Champions League war is won on.

Liverpool need to stop De Bruyne and Silva getting time and space on the ball while also working to get the better of Fernandinho to allow their attacking three to get directly at the defence.


Liverpool v Man City - To assist a goal in 90 minutes

  • De Bruyne - 9/4
  • Silva - 5/2
  • Salah - 11/4
  • Mane - 10/3
  • Sane - 7/2

Making life even tougher for Klopp is the injury to Emre Can, who played well against City in the 4-3 win in January, while Adam Lallana is out again further depleting Klopp's options.

Three of Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be picked for the game, with the fourth no doubt given a run out off the bench.

Whoever Klopp plays they need to try and control midfield as much as is possible against this City team to avoid being overrun - you'll never keep Silva and De Bruyne out of a game such is their quality, but reducing their impact will give the Reds a huge chance of springing an upset.

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Last updated at 1300 BST 03/04/2018.

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