As well as executing their game plan to a tee, Liverpool will be seeking any advantage no matter how small in search of their first away win against Manchester City in over five years.

The battle between the two clubs on the field has often extended to a higher level, owing to the fact the destination of the Premier League trophy has often hinged on this fixture. Now the same could happen again as Saturday's is a first vs second clash, albeit at an early stage of the campaign.

But looking at it without any additional pressures, this is just a meeting of two sets of players managed by two of the greatest masterminds in the sport. Pep Guardiola's ever-evolving, dominant style vs Jurgen Klopp's high-intensity, heavy metal brand of football.

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As of late when the meetings have been at City's Etihad Stadium it has been the Spaniard's set-up that has produced the better results - you would have to look back as far as 2018 to witness a Reds victory at this ground.

So as well as preparing his starting line-up, their shape and the idea of how to win the tactical chess game, Klopp must also be wise by seeking out any potential weak points in his opponent's armour.

After doing some digging, there is a perfect answer.

As the games come thick and fast approaching the festive period, Guardiola's growing injury list is not helping his attempts to retain a fourth title on the bounce. That task would become a lot harder if two of his key players were to become suspended for a major match.

Both Jack Grealish and Rodri enter the meeting with Liverpool on four yellow cards for the season - another meaning they will pick up a one-match suspension, much like Alexis Mac Allister who was forced to miss the Reds win against Brentford after hitting five for the season.

Up next for the league leaders - and subsequently the match the duo would miss if yellow-carded against Liverpool - is another crucial meeting with high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

So in order to maintain the longevity of the home side's title push, the likes of Grealish and Rodri will need to be on their best behaviour. Klopp's men can exploit this by forcing the Spaniard into making a cynical challenge by playing on the counter or riling the Englishman up to the point where he loses his temper

Rodri was booked in both of the meetings between Liverpool and City at the Etihad last season - once in the league and the other in the League Cup - and his absence is already demonstrated to have a detrimental impact on his club's season.

After the 27-year-old was sent off against Nottingham Forest in September, City lost the following three matches for which he was suspended.

Their England international meanwhile is yet to ever be suspended since his £100m move two years ago, though this season has picked up his four bookings in the 84th minute or later, including one for causing a ruckus at the end of City's loss to Wolves.