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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Dan Brown

Grealish in, Mahrez out - Man City fans name line-up they want to see vs Liverpool

Manchester City fans are calling for Erling Haaland to return to the starting line-up against Liverpool after the Norwegian forward was rested against Copenhagen, with Jack Grealish also backed to start.

Pep Guardiola's side face off against the Merseyside outfit at Anfield, with the Blues having defeated Southampton 4-0 in their last Premier League match.

City, who drew 0-0 with Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night, have been in scintillating form so far this season and are currently unbeaten. The Blues currently find themselves second in the Premier League table and are in a great position in Europe after winning three of their opening four matches.

ALSO READ: How City should line up vs Liverpool

Guardiola's men are likely to welcome Haaland back into the starting line-up after the 22-year-old was handed a well-deserved break in midweek, while it is also expected that Bernardo Silva will return after coming off the bench in the Champions League.

The MEN asked fans to pick the team they want to see against Liverpool and this was the most popular XI:

Goalkeeper - Ederson

Predictably, fans have called for Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson to start in between the sticks. The 29-year-old, who has won three successive golden gloves, has been solid for the Blues this season.

The goalkeeper will come up against his fellow countryman Alisson, with the pair both desperate to be first-choice at the World Cup in Qatar.

Defenders - Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo

With Kyle Walker out injured, Manuel Akanji is expected to start at right-back, as he did against Southampton last week. This would mean that Joao Cancelo returns on the left after swapping flanks against Copenhagen.

Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake have been backed to start at centre-back, with John Stones sidelined with an injury. The pair have looked solid recently, but will have a job on their hands to keep Liverpool's attackers quiet.

Midfielders - Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne

The fans are calling for a midfield trio of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, with the latter expected to return to the starting XI after being dropped to the bench in the midweek draw. The decision would see Ilkay Gundogan drop out of the starting line-up.

Forwards - Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish

Haaland was rested in midweek against Copenhagen, so will be fresh for Sunday's clash against Jurgen Klopp's men. The Norwegian striker has scored 20 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions.

Foden, who signed a contract extension earlier this week, has been backed to start on the wing, with Jack Grealish also keeping his place from the convincing win over Southampton.

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