Manchester City 5-0 Liverpool AS IT HAPPENED: Klopp and Guardiola react to Mane red card

MANCHESTER CITY demolished Liverpool at the Etihad after Sadio Mane was controversially sent off. Follow the action and reaction LIVE with Express Sport.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

Reaction: Pep Guardiola has had his say on Mane’s dismissal.

"It was one game at 11v11, it was equal, we both had chances, but the game was equal. Liverpool are so quick and fast,” he said.

"After 10v11 it was a little bit easier for us, and we played the second half the way we wanted to. They didn't do well.

"The game was open until the sending-off. Ederson, the doctor says there is nothing broken. He also saved us in the first half from Mohamed Salah.

"Mane didn't see him, he was looking at the ball but the impact was huge. I don't know if it was a red card. I didn't speak about the decision when we had Kyle Walker sent off against Everton so I will not now."

ReactionTime for some reaction. Jurgen Klopp has spoken out about Sadio Mane’s red card.

"We had all we needed at 11v11,” Klopp said.

“We had chances. The first goal is unnecessary, we were too laid back, not too smart.

"But the decisive decision in the whole game was the red card.

“I don't think it was a red card, Sadio didn't see the goalkeeper. It's unlucky, an accident.

“The keeper comes out. You want to go for the ball. I hope people see it for what it is."

FT: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

Ederson can't be feeling too groggy - he has just re-appeared from the tunnel with a bandage on his injured cheek and is watching the final moments. And City fans have given him a warm round of applause.

He's timed it well - he's just seen a superb fifth goal by Sane. 

The German received a pass form Walker and captalised on the time and space given him by a tired Liverpool defence to curl a beauty into the top corner with his left foot.

So it's finished 5-0 but Liverpool will be left wondering what might have happened if Sane hadn't been sent off. It had been closely-fought till then.

City are top for the first time this season - for a few hours at least. 

Substitutes are proving more than useful for City this season.

Sterling got the winner after coming on as a sub at Bournemouth and Sane's got two today after coming off the bench. Both of them were also instrumental after coming on in the opening day win at Brighton.

It was always going to be difficult for Liverpool with 10 men but their defending left a lot to be desired. 

Surely even a tired Lovren - who was rested apparently after his international duty with Serbia - is better than a fully-fit Klavan?

FT: And that’s all folks. Manchester City have battered Liverpool at the Etihad with a Sergio Aguero opener, and braces from Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane.

Sadio Mane’s red card completely transformed the game and we’ll find out what Jurgen Klopp thought of it in a few moments. Stay tuned!

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumPA

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

91: MANCHESTER CITY 5-0 LIVERPOOL - SANE

Oh it can be a cruel game.

Leroy Sane makes it five in the dying seconds with an absolute peach.

The German receives a pass from Kyle Walker before curling one into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.

90: Two minutes of added time folks. Not much left to endure, Liverpool.

89: MOTM confusion! Sky Sports gave Kevin De Bruyne the Man of the Match award for playing a role in virtually every goal, but City’s stadium announcer’s given it to Gabriel Jesus. I doubt that’s a conversation piece if you’re thinking of bringing it up tonight...

88: I’m not sure if you’re aware but Jurgen Klopp's first defeat to one of the 'big six' since January 2016, and Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United. I’m sure he’ll be forgiven for today’s blip.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

87: It should be five. KDB releases Sergio Aguero down the left, but Leroy Sane’s half-volley is clawed away by Simon Mignolet.

86: Leroy Sane gets a ticking off for a rash challenge on Joel Matip. No need for that kind of tackle at this late stage.

85: Spare a thought for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who’s currently experiencing what it feels like to suffer consecutive 4-0 defeats…

83: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

It was coming. Sane has added the fourth for City. 

He sent the overlapping Mendy away down the left then raced into the box to apply a neat first time finish to the Frenchman's low cross.

Only the second Premier League defeat Klopp has suffered to one of the "big six" since arriving as Liverpool boss. The other one was a 1-0 home setback to Manchester united in January 2016.

This a particularly painful one - and Klopp's heaviest in England. Can shows his frustration by chopping down Aguero to earn a stupid booking.

80: Pep Guardiola’s side might be running away with this, but the Spanish boss is still jumping around like it’s 1-1 in the 90th minute. Emre Can is booked for catching Aguero with a late challenge. Pure frustration.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumGETTY

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

77: MANCHESTER CITY 4-0 LIVERPOOL - SANE

It was inevitable. Benjamin Mendy's cut-back from the byline is brilliantly swept home at the near post by Leroy Sane. This is getting brutal.

73: Close! Mendy whips a cross into the Liverpool area but Mignolet reacts quickly to stop Matip’s deflecting from squeezing in at the near post.

70: James Milner draws a free-kick on the right flank, around five yards from the touchline. It’s cleared. Pep Guardiola’s so comfortable that these points are in the bag that he’s willing to throw Eliaquim Mangala on for Nicolas Otamendi.

66: From a neutral’s perspective, it’s disappointing to see the match play out like this. We expected a thriller, but we’ve been left with a walkover. Roberto Firmino replaces Emre Can. That’s probably Jurgen Klopp looking to protect a few players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Sevilla.

63: Harsh words from Man City fans to Liverpool's: "Just like United - you live in the past." The Reds now aiming for damage limitations but they’re chasing shadows. It’s hard enough to stop City with 11 players let alone 10.

60: Gabriel Jesus makes way for Leroy Sane, while James Milner comes on against his former club, replacing Georginio Wijnaldum. I didn’t expect it, but Milner was booed when he arrived.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

57: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

Word from City on Ederson is that he has a suspected fractured cheekbone - but no concussion. 

The Brazilian hasn't been taken to hospital but is being assessed in the medical centre at City's training campus - adjacent to the Etihad Stadium.

If the fracture is confirmed, Ederson could be out for six weeks minimum which means an extended run for Bravo with the Champions League just about to start.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is on for his debut in place of Salah, who looked Liverpool's most dangerous player in the first half.

His last appearance for a 4-0 defeat for Arsenal at Anfield. And he'll be fearing something similar here. Aguero's just had a goal ruled out for offside but Jesus has just added his second to make it 3-0. Unselfish play by Aguero to set him up.

Game over now for Liverpool who will need a bit of damage limitation.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

54: MANCHESTER CITY 3-0 LIVERPOOL - JESUS

This could get embarrassing now. Seconds after seeing their second goal of the match disallowed for offside, Pep Guardiola’s side have added a third.

Sergio Aguero unselfishly sets up Jesus, who pokes it beyond Simon Mignolet without a defender in sight.

Could be a cricket score…

53: Liverpool doing their best to stem the flow by playing keep-ball around the middle of the park. A task easier said than done against a talented City side.

50: Sergio Aguero looks to capitalise on the space but he’s crowded out fairly quickly. Ederson gone to club's medical institute next door for X-rays on cheekbone and jaw.

48: The argument about Sadio Mane’s dismissal rages on. We shouldn’t let that distract from Kevin De Bruyne’s two glorious assists today. He’s a class above.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

45: We’re back underway with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replacing Mo Salah. Looks like Jurgen Klopp’s switched to three at the back. All or nothing I suppose.

HT: Jamie Carragher: “It’s a red card. I didn’t think it was initially, I needed a lot of replays, but the boot in face says it all.

“Initially I thought Mane made contact with Ederson’s chest but he didn’t. Yes, Mane’s eyes were on the ball but it doesn’t matter, he still endangered an opponent.”

Carragher and Neville disagreeing? Shocking…

HT: I should mention that Ederson has not been taken to hospital, he is still in the medical room inside the stadium.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Jason: Don't forget assist on the second goal went to that oxygen thief John Moss. Nobody came to see referee today but there he is ruining the game.

Bradley: I don't understand why people think Mane's karate kick wasn't a red card. Intentional or not, Ederson could have had a broken neck.

James: People moan about automation taking away human jobs but VAR can't come soon enough to get rid of the likes of John Moss.

HT: Gary Neville: “Oh no. It won’t look pretty on the replays because he did go for the ball and I think he did follow through and the keeper got their first. But I’m bemused.

“It won’t look good I think in the replay but in real time I don’t think anybody in the stadium felt that it wasn’t a genuine attempt to play the ball. Look at City playing offside, the ball’s there. I don’t think that’s a red card, I genuinely don’t.

“However the goalkeeper ends up, the reward was so big, that is not a red card. He’s got a great view of it, you can see the referee in the middle of the picture. His eyes are on the ball, his eyes are on the ball.

“It is not a red card for me. The reward is so big. Sorry Jon Moss, you’ve just ruined the game there.”

HT: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool were guilty of not learning their lessons there. Jesus had just had a header ruled out for offside from De Bruyne's free-kick from the right.

But the lively Brazilian got between their defenders again to head home from another De Bruyne cross - this time from the left. 

Shame about the red card for Sane because it had been an even contest but referee Jon Moss didn't really have any option. And it's an uphill struggle for the Merseysiders now.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

HT: And that’s the break. Manchester City have an extra man, and a two-goal advantage at the Etihad. The Reds controlled the early stages but were made to pay for their wastefulness. This argument about Sadio Mane’s dismissal is going to outlast religion.

50: MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 LIVERPOOL - JESUS

He didn’t have to wait long to rectify that disallowed goal.

Once again, Kevin De Bruyne is the architect. His inswinging cross from the left is headed in by Jesus before Simon Mignolet knew what was happening.

Jesus has been directly involved in 13 goals in his 12 Premier League starts for Man City (nine goals, four assists).

48: Disallowed goal! Gabriel Jesus thinks he’s doubled Manchester City’s advantage with a header from KDB’s inch-perfect cross, but he’s flagged for offside. He looks distraught but try seeing your Fantasy Football captain sent off in the FIRST HALF of the FIRST GAME of the weekend, Gabriel!

45: Ederson has now been stretchered off with Claudio Bravo replacing him. So we’ve now got eight minutes of added time to look forward too.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumPA

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

44: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

Mane can't really argue with the red card. 

To be fair, his eyes were on the ball and, and to give him the benefit of the doubt, there was no malice but it was reckless do go in with his boot so high especially as Ederson  was clearly going to have to go for the ball with his head because he was out of his penalty area.

City players signalled immediately that Ederson was in trouble. He's been down for treatment for a while and Bravo is coming on. That might give Liverpool some hope.....

42: Gary Neville: "I don’t think that’s a red card. His eyes are on the ball. The rewards are so big if he wins that challenge. The ball’s there for him to win. I’m sorry John Moss, you’ve ruined the game there."

41: Ederson is still down receiving some treatment. I don’t think he’s going to continue and replays show that Mane did connect with his chest. Claudio Bravo incoming…

38: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 LIVERPOOL - RED CARD

Thing go from bad to worse for Liverpool. Sadio Mane has been dismissed for a high-boot on Ederson.

The rapid attacker was sent through with a ball over the top, and stuck his leg out to try and dink it over the keeper, who’s now sprawled out on the floor.

Gary Neville doesn’t think it was a dismissal, and I agree because it was a genuine 50/50 with his eyes on the ball. Booking at most.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

37: Ragnar Klavan loses possession to Gabriel Jesus and can’t recover. He’s trying to drag the Brazilian down but he continues before seeing a low shot turned over by Simon Mignolet.

34: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

Aguero just loves playing Liverpool at the Etihad. That’s six goals in his last six Premier League home games against them. 

Liverpool’s back four was caught flat-footed and square by De Bruyne’s through pass and Aguero dribbles round Mignolet to score. Makes you question the decision to rest Dejan Lovren and play Klavan.

It had been a nervy start by both teams with lots of mistakes and misplaced passes but it’s making for an absorbing game. But the goal should settle City down and concentrate Liverpool’s minds.

Sane and Salah, as expected, are troubling City down the flanks. Otamendi’s going to have to be careful after being booked for chopping down Salah. Alexander-Arnold has also got to be careful after a caution for felling De Bruyne.

Jon Moss is a busy man – he’s just booked Fernandinho for tripping Sane.

Shaping up to a be a cracker now. Ederson's just saved well by Salah after an incisive Liverpool move.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

31: Liverpool simply can’t be this wasteful. Mane slips Salah through one-on-one with Ederson, and sinfully taps it straight at the keeper. Needed to open his body in Thierry Henry fashion. Easier said than done I suppose.

28: Sadio Mane looks to respond quickly with a signature drive forward, and Fernandinho is forced to bring him down. He’s booked. Everyone’s expecting TAA to take it but Emre Can pulls rank and sends it about 177-miles wide of the post.

24: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 LIVERPOOL - AGUERO

They look terrible at the back, but my word they’re good going forward.

Kevin De Bruyne's sumptuous through-ball slices Liverpool open and frees Sergio Aguero, who rounds Simon Mignolet to score against Liverpool for the sixth home game running.

Jurgen Klopp’s side pay the price for a lack of ruthlessness.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

23: Otamendi makes another clanger by sliding in and completely missing Salah. The Egyptian drives forward but tamely pokes a shot at Ederson instead of cutting it back for Mane. Bit greedy. And I’m not just saying that because Mane is my Fantasy Football captain…

22: KDB draws TAA (love a good abbreviation) into a foul on the edge of the area after the youngster dithered. He’s booked for a clumsy foul. The Belgian steps up… cleared! Joel Matip deals with it comfortably.

19: Gary Neville’s already throwing out criticisms at City’s defending. He’s right though, nobody’s taking charge and Liverpool always have a dangerous option.

Chance! Henderson whips a great ball in towards Firmino but the Brazilian can't turn it back across goal to Mane.

16: Close! Fernandinho strikes one from distance that Mignolet is forced to tip wide at full stretch. City waste the corner with Aguero caught offside.

There’s defiantly a plan to target young TAA today. He’s doing alright so far, but you fear for him as the game progresses.

13: KDB charges forward but doesn’t have any options so tests Mignolet with a poke from 25 yards. It didn’t trouble the stopper. It didn’t trouble the stopper. Alexander-Arnold gets a ticking-off from referee Jonathan Moss after delaying his first four throw-ins.

10: End-to-end stuff as Manchester City win themselves a corner. There’s a bit of pushing and shoving in the area but it’s eventually cleared.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumREUTERS

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

6: Kevin De Bruyne delivers an outswinging free-kick that Jesus glances wide of the post.

Wow, I’m genuinely shocked with how utterly terrible that challenge was. Otamendi has just clattered into Mo Salah and been dealt a yellow card for his troubles. 85 minutes against Liverpool on a booking? What could possibly go wrong...

All over the place that lad.

3: It didn’t take long for Manchester City fans to start signing the ‘Steve Gerrard, Gerrard’ song. Liverpool return with a ‘Manchester is full of s***’ chant. Charming stuff.

It does indeed look like Pep Guardiola is using Danilo as part of a back three to deal with the pace of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

The Reds win an early corner, but Ederson claims it. Lively start.

1: MANCHESTER CITY 0-0 LIVERPOOL

We’re underway folks. Let the mayhem unfold… Incidentally, the sun is now shining over the Etihad. I’m going to stop with the weather updates now. I'll leave that to Carol Kirkwood, or Nazaneen Ghaffar if you’re a Sky News kind of person.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumPA

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

12:29: Ok, the players are out there doing the handshakes, Klopp and Guardiola have done the usual hugs, it's all too bloody friendly these days We’re almost ready.

Oh, I should mention that it’s absolutely pouring it down in Manchester today, but you probably already knew that.

12:27: BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal will lose transfer negotiator Dick Law at the end of the month as he has decided to step down from his role at the club.

Firstly, who on earth is he? Secondly, I wasn’t aware Arsenal had a transfer department…

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Tom: This game hinges on Alberto Moreno v Kyle Walker and Georginio Wijnaldum v Kevin De Bruyne battles. Whoever wins those will win the game.

Gary: Love that Jurgen Klopp is rotating and prioritising conditioning. Can't wait for Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana to be back.

Gerald: Hope Klopp knows what he's doing leaving Lovren and Coutinho out. Looking at the bigger picture, but I'd love a win today.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumPA

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

12:20: No sign of Mr Coutinho today folks.

The Brazilian has been left out of Liverpool's squad with manager Jurgen Klopp saying he needs training time to make up for his disrupted pre-season.

Coutinho, who has not played for Liverpool so far this season due a back injury, submitted a transfer request after the club received and rejected bids for him from Barcelona during the transfer window.

"I had to make a decision. We now have seven games in the next three weeks," Klopp said.

"I decided to leave him out for City. We can use this four or five days for real and proper training... He could have played 15-20 minutes for us again in the City game, maybe longer, but I think it makes sense."

12:18: Just looking at my bank balance after yesterday’s trip to a terrible bar in Kensington. If the hangover wasn’t enough to make me feel sick, that’s certainly done the trick!

12:15: Jurgen Klopp isn’t the only manager making waves with his selection today.

A few eyebrows have been raised with Pep Guardiola’s decision to field three full-backs with Danilo starting alongside John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi at centre-back.

I guess that’s what happens when you spend £150million on full-backs.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumPA

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

12:10: Are you wondering why on earth Jurgen Klopp has decided to pick Ragnar Klavan ahead of Dejan Lovren? Here’s the man himself to explain the decision.

“Dejan played for Croatia last Saturday, 27 minutes on Sunday and then 90 minutes on Tuesday in a difficult game against Turkey. He didn’t come back injured but he felt the intensity a little bit,” Klopp said.

"Ragnar didn’t play Estonia’s second game, and he was outstanding against Palace. That is why we have the players.”

12:05: Here’s what Pep had to say about Sanchez, and a little extra (because I’m bloody nice like that) about Raheem Sterling, who was supposedly heading to the Emirates in part-exchange.

"I don't know what's going to happen in the wintertime or next season. He's an Arsenal player,” Guardiola said.

"Of course we were interested in him (but) at the end Arsenal decided not to sell him. So, all the best for Alexis. They talked to me and I said, 'No chance, zero chance, not one per cent chance to make a swap with Alexis and Raz'.

"He is 22, English. He has a lot to improve but I trust a lot in him. The only deal, if possible, was cash. We tried to make an offer. They accepted but in the end they could not sign the player they wanted to sign, so Alexis stayed in Arsenal."

12:00: Oh boy, what have we done to deserve this treat?

Kolo Toure is in the Sky Sports studio to provide some analysis today. I’m half-expecting him to two foot Simon Thomas any moment now…

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumPA

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

11:55: Well, there’s no Alexis Sanchez today folks.

After a whirlwind transfer deadline day, that featured Jim White shouting like the apocalypse was imminent, Sanchez remained an Arsenal player.

But for how long?

Well, Pep Guardiola does not yet know if City will revive their attempts to sign the Chilean superstar.

City had a £55million deadline-day bid for the Chile playmaker accepted last week but a move did not go through because the Gunners could not secure a replacement.

With Sanchez out of contract next summer it is thought City could move for the player again in January but Guardiola has now switched his focus away from player recruitment.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

John: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain realises his lifelong dream of not playing right back in London by sitting on a bench in Manchester.

Shafqat: Centre-back is the area we were lacking last season and haven't strengthened at all. 3 at the back too. Massive loss incoming.

Sathya: Terrible from Roberto Martinez to play Kompany Vs Gibraltar. Why not rest him when he's played every minute of the season?

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumPA

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

11:45: The game is a big clash of top-four rivals and, if the corresponding fixture last season anything to go by, the pace could be unrelenting.

As the game goes on, however, it will be interesting to see if either feel they can ease up in any way, with midweek Champions League outings in mind.

City travel to Feyenoord while Liverpool host Sevilla. Both will want to get off to a confident start in their group campaigns.

11:40: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has also made three changes from the last-gasp victory over Bournemouth.

Raheem Sterling is sidelined after his ridiculous dismissal at the Vitality Stadium, Sergio Aguero replaces him.

Elsewhere John Stones and Kyle Walker come in for the injured Vincent Kompany and Bernardo Silva, who drops to the bench.

11:35: Right, let’s start with the visitors.

Jurgen Klopp has made three changes from the side who crushes Arsenal at Anfield a few weeks ago.

Simon Mignolet returns in place of Loris Karius, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ragnar Klavan replace Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez, who are named on the bench.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumGETTY

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

11:30: As promised, here’s the starting XI’s.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo, Mendy, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Jesus, Aguero.

Subs: Bravo, Foden, Mangala, Sane, Gundogan, Delph, Bernardo.

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino.

Subs: Karius, Lovren, Gomez, Milner, Chamberlain, Sturridge, Solanke.

11:28: That team news will be filtering in any moment now. I’ll bring it your way ASAP, but don’t expect to see that pesky Philippe Coutinho’s name anywhere…

11:25: I’ll expand on that theory now. I would have done it before but I’m still a little rattled after spending last night a fancy bar in Kensington where I needed a second mortgage to buy a tiny/tasteless bottle of larger. More on that later.

The vast array of attacking talent available to each side allied to the defensive frailties that still linger in both camps means it should be an entertaining watch, while Klopp v Guardiola promises much.

But there is an unexpected sub-text at play, namely that City have won just one of the last seven Premier League meetings between the sides. Under these managers, Liverpool won at Anfield and drew 1-1 on the road last season.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad StadiumGETTY

Manchester City v Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from the Etihad Stadium

11:20: We can forget about the international break (that I’m apparently obsessed with) for another few weeks because the Premier League is back!

And what a belter we’re starting off with.

Manchester City host Liverpool in an eagerly-anticipated clash at the Etihad.

Defence is the weak link for both sides, but there’s no such problems going forward given the philosophies of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. Expect goals. Lots of goals. Mega-goalage.

11:15: Goooood mooooorning folks, welcome to our LIVE coverage of Manchester City v Liverpool from the Etihad Stadium.

I’ll start by congratulating everyone for making it through another terrible and uninspiring international break.

It was very much the usual 14 days of boredom.

England laboured to a 4-0 victory over the mighty Malta, edged past Slovakia at an empty Wembley and there was a storm in a teacup when Dele Alli flipped Kyle Walker the bird.

Standard stuff.

PREVIEW

MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS

Manchester City will be without captain Vincent Kompany for today’s Premier League clash with Liverpool after he suffered a calf injury on international duty with Belgium.

Former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling is suspended but right-back Kyle Walker is available again after his one-match ban.

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is back in contention after returning to full training following his long-term knee injury.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho will not be in the squad.

A back injury meant the Brazil international's first competitive action of the season was 47 minutes in two games for his country over the last week and Klopp does not think he is ready, but deadline-day signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be included.

Right-back Nathaniel Clyne is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a back injury while Adam Lallana (thigh) is still working on his recovery.

PROVISIONAL SQUADS

Manchester City squad: Ederson, Bravo, Walker, Danilo, Mendy, Otamendi, Stones, Adarabioyo, Mangala, Toure, Delph, Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva, B Silva, Sane, Diaz, Foden, Aguero, Jesus.

Liverpool squad: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Can, Salah, Firmino, Mane, Karius, Gomez, Klavan, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Grujic, Sturridge, Solanke.

HISTORY

Last season: Man City 1 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 1 Man City 0

Last five league matches: Man City W W W D W; Liverpool W W D W W

Top scorers(all competitions): Raheem Sterling (Man City) 2; Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane & Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 3

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