Man City vs. Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

It looks set to be one of the games of the season so far. Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City, who have scored 26 Premier league goals already this season, take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, imbued by new hope after the German's appointment. 

City are in fine form and haven’t been beaten in nine matches in all competitions. That’s despite a lengthy injury list that has seen Pellegrini deprived of a host of players throughout the season.

Klopp, appointed in October after former boss Brendan Rodgers was sacked, has already begun implementing a new style of play at Anfield, with the same high-intensity pressing game that brought rich rewards at Borussia Dortmund now the blueprint for Liverpool’s future.

It was an audacious move by Liverpool bosses to go for Klopp, who was surely the best manager available at the time of the appointment. He’s been left a squad bereft of quality, and he will probably need a summer transfer window to make his mark on the squad, but there have been clear signs of improvement already.

CRISTINA QUICLER/Getty Images

Date: Saturday, November 21

Kick-off: 5:30 p.m. GMT/12:30 p.m. ET

TV Listings: Sky Sports 1 and HD (UK) / NBC (US) 

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK) 

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Form Guide (Last five results)

City

Aston Villa 0-0 City 

Sevilla 1-3 City (Champions League)

City 2-1 Norwich City

City 5-1 Crystal Palace (League Cup)

Manchester United 0-0 City

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Liverpool 

Liverpool 1-2 Crystal Palace 

Rubin Kazan 0-1 Liverpool (Europa League)

Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool 

Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth (League Cup)

Liverpool 1-1 Southampton 

"

Today's Goal of the Day is this edge-of-the-box blast from @Ian_Rush9 at Man City in May 1996 #LFC https://t.co/AKVH83NQeb

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 20, 2015"

Predicted Formations

City

David Silva has failed to recover in time and remains unavailable. Pellegrini is also without Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany and Wilfried Bony. Sergio Aguero is back after a torn hamstring, but he may not be risked for the full 90 minutes. 

"

“I’m feeling very good and well rested,” says @YayaToure ahead of #cityvliverpool. https://t.co/VpvN3RPTjQ #mcfc pic.twitter.com/t9qWFo7TzU

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 20, 2015"

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero. 

David Ramos/Getty Images

Liverpool

Klopp is without Jordan Henderson and Mamadou Sakho but welcomes back Daniel Sturridge. However, the England striker may not start having missed Liverpool's last seven matches with a knee problem. 

"

Here are some great #LFC goals against Manchester City. Which is your favourite? https://t.co/PXALySZLX9

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 20, 2015"

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Milner; Ibe, Lallana, Coutinho; Benteke 

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Players To Watch

City: Kevin De Bruyne

With Aguero back in the side, many would see him as the obvious danger man, but much will depend on the striker's sharpness and whether he can get back to his best after a lengthy layoff. 

Kevin De Bruyne has no such concerns. He’s been fit and playing regularly, and the start he has made as a City player has been impressive from the moment he entered the field to make his debut away at Crystal Palace in September.

For a 24-year-old to have come into an established side and have such a significant impact says a lot about his character and mentality. He looks set to be a star of the Premier League for many years to come. 

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho, who has emerged as the club’s biggest star since the departure of Luis Suarez, poses Liverpool’s most obvious threat on Saturday.

He’s a very talented attacking midfielder, capable of producing passes that split defences. His team-mates look to him to create, much like Silva for City when the Spaniard is fit.

Coutinho also has an excellent long-range strike. Keeping him quiet will be key if City want to minimise Liverpool’s attacking potential. 

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Key Battle: 

Sergio Aguero vs. Dejan Lovren

If there is one glaring weakness in the Liverpool side set to face City this weekend, it’s surely Dejan Lovren, who has struggled to impress since his move from Southampton in 2014.

His movement is lacking, which is exactly why Aguero, returning from injury, will fancy his chances of causing him problems.

One of the key facets of Aguero’s game is his ability to pull defenders into positions they don't want to take up. He rarely stands still and is always looking to make runs in behind defenders.

Lovren, whose confidence has suffered since his move to Anfield, will be dreading the task of keeping the City star quiet. 

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Odds (via Odds Shark)

City: -125

Liverpool: +320

Draw: +275

"

Sir yes sir! @Notamendi30 is tomorrow's cover star. Pick up your programme at the game! #cityvliverpool #mcfc pic.twitter.com/Juy1WyQKJR

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 20, 2015"

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.