Reds out to halt Man City

THE form table suggests Liverpool has realistic hopes of disrupting Manchester City’s waltz towards the Premier League title when they meet on Sunday night, although they must quickly learn how to cope without Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian playmaker completed a $A243 million move to Barcelona on Monday, meaning Juergen Klopp’s front “fab four” is now a three.

Unbeaten City is 15 points clear at the top of the table, having scored more goals than anybody with 64, but fourth-placed Liverpool is second with 50. Klopp’s side is unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions since they were thrashed 4-1 by Tottenham on October 22.

Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah is set to return from injury and he and Sadio Mane are likely to play either side of striker Roberto Firmino.

Although Coutinho will no longer be able to provide the trio with ammunition, they still have the speed and guile to trouble Pep Guardiola’s side at the back. Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes the Reds can get at City’s defence.

City beat Liverpool 5-0 at the Etihad in September, although they will be without injured striker Gabriel Jesus, who scored a brace that day.