Liverpool have edged ahead of Manchester City in what is turning into an enthralling Premier League title fight ahead of their clash at the Etihad Stadium on January 3.
Jurgen Klopp said that Liverpool 'are still Rocky Balboa, not Ivan Drago' in the summer, but they have traded punches well enough so far.
Although
Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal still hope to have their say, the two
favourites are well ahead on points as we approach the halfway point of
the season.
Quality across the pitch
MANCHESTER CITY
It's
hard to fault City's quality in any area. One look at their bench tells
you just how much strength in depth Guardiola has at his disposal.
He can select from an awesome array of world-class players in just about every position.
Perhaps
one area where City are lacking at the moment is a striker to share the
burden with Sergio Aguero as Gabriel Jesus continues to struggle for
form, although 45 goals in 16 games would suggest it isn't holding City
back too much.
LIVERPOOL
The
acquisitions of defender Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson have
gone a long way towards solving Liverpool's vulnerability at the back
that have undermined Klopp's reign until now, although they are short of
back-up heading into Christmas after suffering a few injuries.
Manager
MAN CITY
What
hasn't been said about Guardiola? The man with the gilded coaching
career at Barcelona and Bayern Munich found it difficult during his
first year in the Premier League, but more than made up for it last
season as he won the title in record-breaking style.
LIVERPOOL
Klopp always felt like the ideal fit for Liverpool and so it has proved.
The
German has become hugely popular since taking over in October 2015,
galvanising the club into one that genuinely believes it can return to
the pinnacle of English football.
Style of play
MAN CITY
It took Guardiola a year to impose his blueprint on City, but it has brought spectacular reward.
The
champions are a well-oiled unit, espousing the principles that brought
their coach success at Barcelona and Bayern; playing possession
football, defending high up the pitch, and a high-pressing game designed
to win the ball back within five seconds of losing it.
Unlike Barca, City use wingers to devastating effect and have the creativity across the pitch to cut their opponents to ribbons.
LIVERPOOL
Klopp's
'gegenpressing' is similar in many ways to Guardiola's high-press and
has proved equally effective in regaining possession and turning defence
into attack.
He arrived in the
Premier League promising 'heavy-metal football' and has not
disappointed, with Liverpool developing into an irresistible attacking
force.
Biggest weakness
MAN CITY
Weaknesses
are hard to come by in either team. Guardiola's desperation to win the
Champions League again may prove more of a distraction for City than
Liverpool but that may be a forlorn hope for their rivals. City are more
than capable of competing on several fronts.
LIVERPOOL
Strangely,
despite an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, Liverpool
have not always hit the heights of last season. They have also been
found wanting in Europe, losing away games to Napoli, Red Star Belgrade
and Paris Saint-Germain.