Liverpool face Manchester City sitting top of the league despite having conceded 15 goals in seven games so far.
However, despite that record and the absence of Virgil van Dijk due to a serious knee injury, it Jurgen Klopp’s decision at the other end of the field that takes centre stage ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
Summer signing Diogo Jota has made a mightily impressive start to life at Anfield following his potential £45million summer transfer from Wolves.
And after striking the winner in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over West Ham, the Portuguese forward ripped Atalanta to shreds in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Jota, 23, scored a hat-trick in Bergamo as the Italians were put to the sword, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both also finding the net.
Jota is averaging a goal every 71 minutes for the Reds, but the question for Klopp, as they prepare to renew acquaintances with their closest rivals in recent seasons, is whether that means he starts ahead of Roberto Firmino at the Etihad.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The Brazilian was only a substitute in midweek and his place in the side has been called into question – leading to anger from Klopp on Friday.
“I don’t have to say one word about Bobby Firmino and how important he was for us, I don’t waste time with that.
“He was in so many games the difference-maker without scoring maybe, I’m not sure, but with scoring as well in other games, so I would feel really embarrassed if I had to mention now the qualities of Bobby Firmino.
“I can’t help these people, sorry. That’s how it is.”
Rhys Williams started in midweek and impressed, with Nat Phillips having been man of the match against the Hammers last weekend.
But with Joel Matip back fit, neither centre-back is set to start in Manchester, with the ex-Schalke man set to partner Joe Gomez at the heart of the back line.
Predicted Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Matip, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
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