Liverpool will be banking on the Anfield factor to propel them to victory against Manchester City this weekend as Jose Mourinho desperately tries to stop the rot at Manchester United.
Despite becoming a major force in recent years, City has a miserable record at Liverpool, where it has not won in the Premier League since 2003. Chelsea, in third place, will attempt to stay on the coat-tails of the top two away at Southampton while fourth-placed Tottenham hosts Cardiff. Mourinho is desperate for something to go his way as Manchester United's season threatens to unravel but at least has the comfort of facing struggling Newcastle.
Liverpool versus Manchester City on Sunday is the blockbuster fixture this weekend, pitching first against second, with both sides putting their unbeaten records on the line.
City leads Liverpool on goal difference but is without a Premier League win at fortress Anfield for 15 years and travel with the painful memory of three defeats against the Reds last season.
Jurgen Klopp's men are stuttering for the first time this campaign – Wednesday's last-gasp defeat to Napoli was their third match in succession without a victory. City boss Pep Guardiola said he believed in his players despite the daunting task ahead of them.
"I know how they fight," he said. "Go to Anfield, win, lose, whatever. It's a long time ago Man City was able to win at Anfield. What I want to see is the team alive, and we are alive."
This Sunday, Chelsea visits struggling Southampton, lifted by their midweek League Cup victory on penalties against Everton. Spurs return to Premier League action after their Champions League hopes were severely dented by an inspired Lionel Messi midweek.
Mauricio Pochettino's men are in the fourth spot on 15 points, just four behind Manchester City and Liverpool, and will fancy their chances at Wembley against lowly Cardiff.
Manchester United has scored just 10 goals in seven Premier League games and its blunt forward line faces a challenge to break down Rafael Benitez's defense-minded Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday. Mourinho's midfield Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini are a formidable unit and well-suited for a physical battle. But the under-fire manager might be tempted to pick somebody to pick the lock against Newcastle, perhaps turning to the likes of Juan Mata or one of his other creative link men.
