Manchester City travel to Liverpool this afternoon for a huge Premier League clash. Enzo Maresca insisted during Friday's press conference that he had no doubts at all about his players' focus, despite a fortnight dominated by off-field issues and the consequences City could face. Maresca will be pleased to once again focus on something he can control.
Team news and injury concerns
Due to the nature of the pre-match press conference, it is unclear which players will be available. Gianluigi Donnarumma is a certainty to start in goal, and as a leader in the dressing room, he will be one of the players the Blues' boss looks to in order to rally the troops.
In front of him, the back four is likely to remain unchanged. Ruben Dias will have the captain's armband and will be partnered by Marc Guehi. Nico O'Reilly could challenge Josko Gvardiol at left-back, but having suffered an injury during the international break, Maresca could decide that starting him is not worth the risk.
Midfield and attack changes
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez will relish this fixture. The former Chelsea midfielder has performed superbly for the Blues so far, and his partnership with Elliot Anderson is the envy of the Premier League.
Antoine Semenyo is another injury doubt. He had to withdraw from international duty with Ghana due to an ankle issue. It is not clear exactly how bad that problem is, but if there is any risk, Maresca won't pick him. Instead, Jeremy Doku could receive his first start of the Premier League campaign. He played 15 minutes against Sunderland, and having not featured during the international break, he should be fit and firing for this one. On the right, Phil Foden remains suspended, so Iliman Ndiaye could move over to that flank to accommodate Doku.
Haaland fit to start
The only piece of injury news received on Friday was that Erling Haaland is fit to start after picking up an issue with Norway. He is guaranteed to lead the line.
City predicted XI vs Liverpool: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
