How Liverpool Will Line Up Against Manchester City

Liverpool are top of the Premier League on Christmas Day. That's music to any Reds fan's ears right now, but it comes with the knowledge that unless Brendan Rodgers' men stay focused, it could be a different story by New Year's Day.

That's because Liverpool have two very tricky away fixtures to end a brilliant 2013: at Manchester City on Boxing Day (Thursday) and at Chelsea on Sunday.

This is truly where Liverpool's resolve will be tested—away to fellow title challengers.

But Liverpool must fear no enemies and take each game as it comes. They can approach Manuel Pellegrini's Man City side with all the confidence of a team at the top.

The Reds may even look to go into the game against in-form City with a certain degree of arrogance, one point ahead of the Blues.

It wouldn't be the worst call in the world, either, to describe Rodgers' comments to BBC Sport on Saturday that the league title is Man City's to lose as the start of mind games from the Northern Irishman.

But Rodgers will approach the game at the Etihad Stadium like any other—putting his best team out. It wouldn't be surprising if there were no changes from the line-up that beat Tottenham 5-0 and Cardiff City 3-1.

At the Back

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With Liverpool cruising to a 3-0 lead by half-time in their home clash against Cardiff on Saturday, Rodgers used the second half to experiment with his defence.

Martin Kelly came on for Jon Flanagan shortly after the break for a good run out, with Glen Johnson switched to left-back.

There was also a late seven-minute cameo from Daniel Agger when Rodgers put him in alongside Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho in a three-man defence. But the Dane looked rusty at best.

Agger's experience may be perfect for a big game such as Man City away, however. As Squawka pointed out last week, Agger's tackle success record is just 36 percent, compared to Sakho's 65 percent.

Expect the back four of Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho and Flanagan to remain unchanged in front of Simon Mignolet this Thursday.

In Midfield

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The old saying, "If something ain't broke, don't fix it," may well seem like the most logical thing in the world to Rodgers right now after seeing his side slot eight past Spurs and Cardiff in less than a week.

However, with City's strong midfield pair of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho on top of their game, Liverpool's central midfield may be where Rodgers changes things.

He'll be looking for more strength in numbers to win what could be a very exciting midfield battle on Thursday, probably borrowing from his attack.

In recent games, Joe Allen has become a commanding presence in Liverpool's transition between attack and defence. However, alongside Lucas, they may not provide the muscle needed to outplay City.

Jordan Henderson could be asked to drop back alongside Allen and Lucas, leaving Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling as they were, supporting in attack.

In Attack

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The rise of Sterling in recent games has been nothing short of a joy to watch and the England Under-21 international is well-deserving of his three goals in four games.

Such is Sterling's growth in confidence of late, along with increased link-up play with Luis Suarez, that the Uruguayan forward unselfishly played in the 19-year-old for Liverpool's second goal against Cardiff.

It showed the marked improvement in Sterling, who has won the faith and trust of Suarez.

With Henderson possibly playing in a deeper position to help Liverpool overcome the overbearing City midfield, Philippe Coutinho's role behind Suarez (and central to Sterling) means his responsibility and freedom are multiplied.

Cautious Confidence

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Rodgers and his side have every right to go into Boxing Day's game at Man City brimming with confidence, but they must remain on the cautious side if they are to come away with at least a point.

City are strong and on a run of good form to match that of Liverpool's.

If the Reds are to overcome the might of Pellegrini's side, they must win an edgy midfield battle.

Concentrate on that, tighten up at the back and the rest writes itself.

Suarez is in the form of his life, supported by the pace of Sterling and wizardry of Coutinho.

If Liverpool can come away from Manchester with three points, they have a title race on their hands.