Man City won't know what to expect in Liverpool title decider

Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Saturday in another 12.30pm kick-off following the international break.

Their return is against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium no less, not only a fixture with unfavourable results in recent years, but the victim of yet another early kick-off following the break.

Liverpool have a huge boost with the return of several players including Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch. But what is the mood in the fanbase at present? Here is the latest from our Liverpool jury:

James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - With shrewdness and ruthlessness, we can win on Saturday

Liverpool’s games against Manchester City in recent years feel, in many ways, like bookmarks. Progression, regression, tweaks in approach; all sorts can be tracked and interpreted by sifting through the latest editions of this fixture.

It’s a match-up of teams and coaches that continues to catch the imagination and ought to be appreciated. The levels have so often been so high and the outcomes have regularly been key to seasons’ directions. With only one point separating the sides, Saturday lunchtime has a whole lot of potential.

The Reds could be anywhere from first to fourth come the end of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures. That highlights the fine margins, and also the importance of responding strongly to whatever our result is. This is arguably as big a test as there is in world football. There is plenty of reason to believe it is one we can thrive upon and productively learn from.

We have quality, we have confidence and, helpfully, we are likely to have wide-ranging options from the start and the bench. There are signs we can effectively utilise control and chaos. With shrewdness and ruthlessness, we can win on Saturday and in the long term.

Rhys Buchanan (city centre, @Rhys_Buchanan) - This is a team capable of making us all believe something special is on the horizon

I think this Liverpool side have the ability of beating of anyone this season and Man City are no exception to that in my opinion. We saw during City’s blockbuster clash against Chelsea that they are a team who can be got at, especially when you consider how devastating our frontline has been at times.

It will only help that our lads will come back from international break in buoyant form, with Diaz and Nunez netting and Szoboszlai celebrating his late brace with a big gnarly Hungarian shot, doesn’t he look like a chap desperate for a celebratory Saturday night on Concert Square after a big away win?

Maybe I’m getting carried away though with the delirium of proper football being back after the international break. You can’t exactly say the Etihad has been a happy hunting ground for The Reds in recent years and they’re top of the table for a reason, but what better time to change that and take the top spot heading into a busy December. A point would still be a great result, but you’ve got to dream and this is a team capable of making us all believe something special is on the horizon. Up the mighty Reds.

Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - City will not quite know what to expect

Liverpool's match up on Saturday against Manchester City feels like a big one. Not because it’s a title decider but because we haven't seen this second iteration of Klopp’s Liverpool tested against the best team in the country.

City will not quite know what to expect when they face us. It makes the match intriguing though the early kick off after the international break threatens to dilute both team’s energies. Liverpool now have a dynamic midfield which is bursting with energy, skill and running power allied with an explosive and multi-faceted attacking line.

Will City be able to cope? The Citizens haven't been quite at their brilliant best yet this season and have conceded goals in 8 (12 in total) of their Premier League matches.

On the other hand, our record at the Etihad is poor in the Premier League but there's no reason to think that players like Szoboszlai, Nunez, MacAllister and Gakpo are going to be psychologically affected. I just hope Klopp sends his men out to go for the throat and take all three points.