Manchester City face their toughest test of the season so far when they travel to face Liverpool on Sunday, knowing defeat will damage their hopes of defending the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola’s side are a point behind Jurgen Klopp’s outfit coming into the weekend, with both managers mindful of Arsenal’s opportunity to climb to the top of the table if they beat Brentford on Saturday.

Thankfully for the Catalan manager, Man City are not struggling with injuries right now, with Jack Grealish the only player who will certainly miss out against Liverpool. There are some concerns about Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes from midweek, but City are in good shape overall.

Here’s the Man City team Guardiola may choose at Anfield on Sunday.

GK: Ederson – Came under the spotlight for a couple of reckless challenges against Manchester United last weekend and will need to time some of his charges towards the edge of the box much better against Liverpool.

CB: Kyle Walker – The experience and pace Walker offers will be important on Sunday, with Liverpool boasting plenty of threat and speed of their own on the break through Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.

CB: Ruben Dias – Often compared to Virgil van Dijk as arguably the league’s two best centre-backs, though he has suffered a recent lull in form. It will be interesting to see who deals with their opposition striker the best, especially given the unpredictable Nunez is in superb form right now.

CB: Nathan Ake – There are options for Guardiola in this position. He certainly rates Ake very highly, but Josko Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji are alternatives to play.

DM: John Stones – In the big games, Guardiola has favoured the double pivot of Stones and Rodri. The England international’s ability to play this role as well as in defence is what will keep him in Guardiola’s plans for a very long time.

DM: Rodri – The most consistent performer of them all, Rodri will try to stifle the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield while posing a threat in attack with his excellent long-range shooting.

RM: Phil Foden – Is in the form of his life right now and simply needs to recreate the performance he produced against Man Utd. Foden scored twice in that game but will be up against a stronger defence at Anfield.

CM: Bernardo Silva – How Silva complements City’s five other attacking players is incredible. He seems to love these big matches and will get under the skin of the Anfield crowd from the first minute.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne – The Belgian was one of six City stars named in the 2023 FIFPRO World XI. He has four goals and eight assists in 17 games against Liverpool, a very tidy return and one he could build on this Sunday.

LM: Jeremy Doku – There are concerns about Doku’s fitness after he missed the 3-1 win over Copenhagen, but the Belgian will start on the left if he returns in time. He may well have started even if Grealish wasn’t injured.

ST: Erling Haaland – Another member of the FIFPRO World XI, Haaland will have to get the better of two incredibly imposing defenders in Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk on Sunday. Has been in a war of words with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the build-up.