Ex-Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes his former club will go into today’s match against Manchester City as favourites to get the three points.

The TV pundit thinks the Citizens will attempt to play as defensively as they did in last season’s 0-0 draw at Anfield, but he doesn’t see Pep Guardiola’s team holding out due to their injuries in the backline:

“I just don’t think City are at the same high level as last season. Part of that is down to injuries but, even with largely the same players, there does not quite seem to be the same feel about the team.”

“The little things are going against Pep Guardiola’s side, and some very small cracks are starting to appear, while Liverpool just seem to get stronger and stronger.”

“City did a good job of stopping Liverpool playing the last time they came to Anfield, a 0-0 draw in October 2018, and I cannot see them coming out and playing really open this time either. Liverpool go nine points clear if they win, which is a lot. That is what I think will happen too.

Lawrenson has gone for a 2-0 victory for the home side, and while the former Red generally predicts Liverpool to win, there is some logic to the explanation he gives.

City did manage to nullify Liverpool last campaign in the corresponding fixture, but they did have Aymeric Laporte alongside John Stones in the starting line up that day.

With the Frenchman unavailable due to a knee injury, it’s expected that Fernandinho will play at centre-half, which isn’t ideal for the away side.

With that being said, though, Liverpool will still be facing a really tough test, and getting any sort of win this evening will be a massive boost for their Premier League title ambitions.