ALEX CROOK: MAN CITY v LIVERPOOL (Saturday 12.30pm)

We welcome back talkSPORT ‘s chief football correspondent ALEX CROOK who previews the all-important MAN CITY v LIVERPOOL Premier League clash at 12.30pm on Saturday….

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Following what is always the most unhelpfully positioned international break, the proper football returns this weekend. It is back with a bang as champions Manchester City host their tile rivals from recent seasons Liverpool at Saturday lunchtime. LATEST STARSPORTS.BET MARKETS

Check out my video preview of the match:

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This match may not have as much riding on it in the head-to-head stakes as in recent years but is still likely to have a significant impact on City’s hopes of fending off surprise package Arsenal to retain their Premier League crown for a third successive season.

For Liverpool, after a strangely underwhelming campaign, it is all about forcing their way into the top four to aid Jurgen Klopp’s big summer rebuild, although it is already looking unlikely top target Jude Bellingham ends up hanging his hat at Anfield.

Goal machine Erling Haaland was forced to leave Norway’s training camp with a groin injury and dad Alfie Inge claims it is ‘touch and go’ whether he recovers in time, but that could be a red herring to protect him from criticism back home.

City will be desperate to get 42-goal Haaland (pictured below) fit, especially with the in-form Phil Foden ruled out following an appendix operation.

Meetings between these two usually serve up plenty of entertainment, with no fewer than 24 goals exchanged in the last seven Premier League encounters.

We also witnessed a thrilling 3-2 City win in this season’s League Cup in the first match proceeding the World Cup break so assuming Haaland is available there is a good chance of another high-scoring encounter.

City have lost just once at home since Liverpool’s FA Cup win at the Etihad last April while Klopp’s men have been dismal on the road this season, losing heavily at Wolves and at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.

There is not much value in backing City to win outright but a victory for Pep Guardiola’s side coupled with over 2.5 goals in the game available at ? with starsports.bet is a good way of increasing the odds.

With Foden sidelined this is a good opportunity for his England teammate Jack Grealish to prove he can be a big-game match-winner.

The £100m man has been much improved in his second season at City and will fancy himself to have the beating of Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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It would not be a big surprise if Klopp reduced the risk of Grealish profiting by naming veteran James Milner in place of Alexander-Arnold.

Either way Grealish is a tempting ? with starsports.bet to score at any time in the match.

The other player who I think could have a big say on the outcome is Kevin De Bruyne. By his high standards the Belgian as not been at his brilliant best this season, particularly since being unable to prevent his country making a limp World Cup group stage exit.

But De Bruyne (pictured below) has still managed 27 goal involvements (six goals and 21 assists) in all competitions for City, which is hardly a paltry return.

There have also been tangible signs in recent matches that De Bruyne has his mojo back, illustrated by two brilliant assists in the recent routings of RB Leipzig and Burnley.

One of Liverpool’s main issues this season has been in midfield, hence the fact Klopp wants to sign both Bellingham and Chelsea’s Mason Mount, so De Bruyne could have plenty of freedom to operate in.

De Bruyne is ? with starsports.bet to provide an assist in the game.

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BACK: Manchester City to win and over 2.5 goals in the game 1.5 pts at 13/10 (Latest Star Price ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK: Jack Grealish to score at any time 0.5 pts at 10/3 (Latest Star Price ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK: Kevin De Bruyne to provide an assist 1 pt at 6/4 (Latest Star Price ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

ALEX CROOK

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