Liverpool, City on Chelsea’s heels

LONDON — The much-anticipated clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield Saturday looks like a knockout to determine who can challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title. A draw would do neither side any favors in their pursuit of Antonio Conte’s Blues who are six points clear of second-placed Liverpool and threatening to disappear over the horizon even before new year. City lies one point further back in third and has traditionally reserved some of its worst performances for Liverpool. Last season it was humiliated 4-1 at home and has not won at Anfield since 2003. At least it seems unlikely to face its chief recent tormentor, Philippe Coutinho, who is recovering from an ankle injury. Coutinho has scored five goals in his last six games against them. It can also call on Sergio Aguero to lead its attack as he has completed a four-game suspension. Much will depend on how Liverpool’s wobbly defense handles the Argentine although it possesses plenty of threat at the other end with Adam Lallana leading the comeback in Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over Stoke City and Daniel Sturridge fit and firing again after scoring his first Premier League goal of the season. — AFP