So. Much. NARRATIVE. Ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City this Sunday, live on Sky Sports, what’s going on off the pitch is almost as exciting as what’s on it.

It’s Jürgen Klopp’s final season as Liverpool manager. That means it’s potentially the last time he goes up against Man City coach Pep Guardiola. City are going for an unprecedented double treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. Liverpool have already won one trophy this season and are looking to win three more.

But come Sunday afternoon, it’s what happens on the pitch that counts – and the result could have a HUGE impact on the destiny of the Premier League title. Liverpool are a point ahead of City with a superior goal difference, but City are unbeaten in 13 league matches – the sort of relentless run that has propelled them to the title in recent seasons.

Although it’s at Anfield, where Liverpool are unbeaten domestically since October 2022, Man City may well have the edge. Erling Haaland is banging in goals at his usual rate (28 in 31 games), the likes of Phil Foden and Rodri are in top form, and Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones have returned from injury looking as sharp as ever.

Liverpool, by contrast, are in a debilitating injury crisis – although the young players they’ve had to rely on, such as Conor Bradley and Bobby Clark, have done them proud. The squad seem to be pulling together for their manager’s last hurrah.

On Sunday the players, the clubs’ fans and anyone else gripped by the Premier League title race will be forgetting the subplots and focusing on the action. And that’s what we’ve done, by picking a combined XI of the two teams’ most important and influential players in their campaigns so far. Click on the players to see if you agree with our reasoning, and read on to see what might happen in the rest of the season…

After this round of fixtures, there are just 10 games left in 2023/24. That’s more than enough time for a few twists and turns, as the leading contenders face local rivals and bogey teams. Fixture congestion may play a part too, with games to be rearranged thanks to FA Cup ties, plus there’s Europe. Let’s have a look at how the rest of the season might play out…

Brighton & Hove Albion (H)
Sheffield United (H)
Manchester United (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Fulham (A)
West Ham United (A)
Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

TBD: Everton (A)
 

Three-point bankers: We’d be amazed if the Reds didn’t crush Sheffield United and Crystal Palace at home, while Tottenham haven’t won at Anfield since 2011. Wolves, comfortable in mid-table, could be benign final-day opponents if it comes down to the wire.

Potential banana skins: Everton may be having a shocker of a season but – as we all know – normal rules don’t apply to local derbies, while Villa Park has been a fortress recently. After Brighton were promoted to the Premier League, Liverpool beat them six times in a row; since then, they’ve beaten the Seagulls just once in seven attempts.

Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
Arsenal (H)
Aston Villa (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Luton Town (H)
Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Nottingham Forest (A)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
Fulham (A)
West Ham United (H)
 

Three-point bankers: After Erling Haaland’s five-goal feast at Luton in the FA Cup, the Hatters will be quaking in their boots when they visit the Etihad. In fact, with their resources, City are expected to see off anyone below about sixth with ease.

Potential banana skins: It’s tempting to imagine Guardiola’s side winning every game when they hit this kind of form. But third-placed Arsenal will offer a stern test, and City have famously never even scored at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League.

But what about...

Yep, before anyone accuses us of calling this a two-horse race, we know Arsenal are only just behind Liverpool and Man City in third – and they still have City to play, so they are definitely in the mix for the title, especially after winning every Premier League match in February (including a defeat of Liverpool) while scoring an average of 4.5 goals per game. Here’s how the Gunners’ final 10 games shape up.

Chelsea (H)
Manchester City (A)
Luton Town (H)
Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)
Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Bournemouth (H)
Manchester United (A)
Everton (H)

Three-point bankers: Arsenal are in fine goalscoring form but have arguably the toughest run-in of the three contenders, although they’ll certainly be expected to win at home against Luton and Bournemouth.

Potential banana skins: The local derby against Spurs, a final-day match against a potentially desperate Everton, and a trip to Old Trafford where Man Utd love giving their old rivals a bloody nose (Arsenal have lost on their last two visits). Plus, of course, that trip to the Etihad, which is live on Sky Sports on Easter Sunday.

Who’s going to win the Premier League?

If they’re honest, Liverpool and Arsenal fans will admit Man City’s form looks ominous – not unlike the run of 13 wins in 14 games that took Guardiola’s team to the title last season. But Arsenal are in pretty relentless form themselves, with a solid defence and Bukayo Saka returning to his best; a lot rides on their match against City. And Liverpool may have injuries but, thanks to their impressive academy graduates, they’re more than coping. We’ll have a clearer idea after Sunday, but this title race won’t be over for a good while yet.

When is Liverpool v Man City on TV?

You can watch Liverpool take on Manchester City on Sunday 10 March from 3pm on Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502). One important note: don’t think you can tune in at the usual Sunday kick-off time of 4.30pm to see the match. On police advice, it’s been moved forward to start at 3.45pm.