MAN CITY face league leaders Liverpool this weekend having lost three Premier League games on the bounce.
Pep Guardiola is enduring the toughest period of his career – losing five fixtures in a row for the first time – having recently signed a new contract.
Two losses to Tottenham Hotspur, and losses to Bournemouth, Sporting Lisbon and Brighton have spoiled City’s Christmas run-in.
Form is going from bad to worse for the Spaniard’s side, who threw away a 3-0 lead in the Champions League against Feyenoord to draw 3-3 with Arne Slot’s former team.
Guardiola was then pictured with scratches across his head and face.
In the opposing dugout, Slot will be licking his lips at the chance to round off a dominant run of form for the Reds and extend their eight point lead at the top of the table.
Liverpool collected a 2-0 victory midweek, putting in a dominant performance against long-running European rivals Real Madrid.
Alexis Mac Allister combined with Conor Bradley to work the ball into the Madrid penalty area before finishing neatly into the bottom left.
Substitute Cody Gakpo headed home from a trademark Andy Robertson’s cross to seal the victory.
The Reds will be hoping to finish a packed run of fixtures with a win over title rivals Man City.
This is not the first time the title clash has been given a unique kick-off time.
In March, the 1-1 draw between the two kicked off at 3.45pm GMT.
Back in November 2023, the fixture was moved from 5.30pm to 12.30pm GMT.
On Sunday, the match is due to kick off at 4pm GMT – 30 minutes earlier than the regular 4.30pm schedule.
Police concerns have caused the change which is put in place to try and avoid confrontations between fans.
Clashes in 2022 led to the City team bus being damaged by fans when leaving Anfield.
While Liverpool supporters were subjected to chants relating to the club’s tragedies.
