Man City vs Liverpool (9th November)

Manchester City welcome champions Liverpool to the Etihad on Sunday in a fixture that so often defines the direction of a Premier League season. 

For years, these two sides have shared the stage as English football’s great modern rivalry, a meeting of styles as much as of players, with Pep Guardiola’s precision facing Arne Slot’s growing sense of control and aggression.

Both arrive chasing Arsenal, whose early form has them setting the pace. City eased past Bournemouth last weekend and will expect to assert themselves at home, especially with Erling Haaland in rhythm. 

Liverpool found some fluency again against Aston Villa following the toughest period of Slot’s tenure, but knows a positive result here could do more than close the gap. It could reignite belief that they belong in this title race.