Slot's Reds face Pep test at the Etihad

Following Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, Liverpool's lead over Premier League title rivals Arsenal stands at eight points, with the Reds having played one more game.

Liverpool's midweek draw was their second in three Premier League games, following James Tarkowski's stoppage-time equaliser in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Despite this, they remain strong favourites to clinch the title, though Arsenal's title hopes have seen an uptick in recent weeks.

One could argue that Liverpool should have suffered three straight draws. In last week's 2-1 win over Wolves, the Reds were under pressure, failing to attempt a single shot in the second half, marking the first time since 2003-04 they had played a full half of Premier League football without a shot. Their inability to create chances in recent outings has raised concerns, with their shot count often falling behind their opponents. In fact, Liverpool have only had fewer shots than their opponents in four Premier League games this season, two of which have come in their last three fixtures (10-16 against Wolves, 6-10 against Everton).

At Villa Park, Liverpool dominated the expected goals (xG) battle 2.51 to 0.67 but were unable to capitalise, with substitute Darwin Núñez missing a chance worth 0.75 xG in the 69th minute.

Slot's side has certainly been hampered by the absence of Cody Gakpo, who picked up a muscle injury at Everton. Gakpo, second to Mo Salah in goals, goal involvements, and shots attempted this season, remains a doubt for Sunday's fixture. Salah, however, played a pivotal role in the Villa game, recording a goal and an assist. His combined goal involvements have earned Liverpool 31 points this season, the most by any player in a Premier League campaign since Jamie Vardy's 32 for Leicester City in 2015-16. Additionally, Salah has been the most prolific Premier League player against Guardiola's City, with 13 goal involvements (eight goals, five assists), second only to Steven Gerrard's 14 in Premier League history.

City are looking to recover after their 3-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday. Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick condemned Pep Guardiola to his first Champions League elimination before the round of 16 in his 16th campaign.

However, City have been in fine form in the Premier League since Christmas, collecting 17 points from a possible 24 (five wins, two draws, one loss). Their recent 4-0 win over Newcastle marked a return to their expected high level of performance, with Nico González making an impressive debut. The former Porto midfielder completed 100 passes against Newcastle, the second-most by a midfielder on their Premier League debut since 2003-04. González also won four of his five duels, while City's dominance was highlighted by their first league game this season without conceding a single big chance.

Fellow January signing Omar Marmoush made an instant impact, scoring a 33-minute hat-trick against the Magpies, the second-fastest ever by a City player in Premier League history.

Neither González nor Marmoush had a major impact against Madrid in midweek, although the pair combined for a late consolation goal after Marmoush's free-kick rattled the woodwork and González tapped it home.

As the Champions League race heats up, with just six points separating five hopefuls, City will be aiming to bounce back. Liverpool will have to be at their best to take all three points at the Etihad.

Liverpool will look to complete the Premier League double over City for only the third time, having beaten them 2-0 in December at Anfield. The Reds have previously completed the double against City in 2005-06 and 2015-16.

Liverpool have claimed the Premier League double over reigning champions six times, more than any other club in the competition's history. Their previous doubles came against Blackburn Rovers (1995-96), Manchester United (2000-01, 2001-02, 2008-09, 2013-14), and Chelsea (2010-11).

However, City have won eight and drawn four of their last 15 Premier League home games against Liverpool, their only defeat coming in a 4-1 loss in November 2015 under Manuel Pellegrini