Aguero needs to step up for City

THIS Manchester City team need major surgery. Between now and the end of the season, the players will be wanting to make sure they are part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Looking at the team knocked out of the Champions League by Monaco, wingers Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, plus Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, will be key ingredients in City’s future.

Sane has been particularly impressive. When he runs with the ball, he reminds me of a young Ryan Giggs. But you look at the centrebacks, full-backs and even the centre-forward on Wednesday and see there is room for improvement.

Every match is an opportunity for these players to prove their worth and they should view this game against top-four contenders as a perfect opportunity. Sharpen up Sergio

The creativity of Sterling and Sane will be key to Manchester City winning this game but the wingers need Sergio Aguero to be a metre quicker than he was against Monaco.

There is a feeling that Aguero is jamming the team’s success. He did not look like scoring in Monaco and it was not for lack of supply.

Given the chances City are creating for him, Aguero could have 10 more goals to his tally for this season. With that added firepower City could well have been in the next round of the Champions League and top of the Premier League! Homesick Liverpool

Away from home, Liverpool are not nearly as threatening as they should be.

They press very high to try to win the ball back but when they don’t, they become very stretched.

Liverpool’s opponents will then knock it long and sting them on the counter-attack.

This seems to be more evident away from Anfield — Oumar Niasse’s goal for Hull which killed off Liverpool in a 2-0 defeat last month springs to mind.

Liverpool have not won away in the Premier League since Sadio Mane snatched a last-gasp victory at Everton in December. That night Jurgen Klopp’s side were second best at times but they were strong, determined and rode out the storm.

Since then, Liverpool have not looked solid on the road and they will need to be against City.

MY PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY 3 LIVERPOOL 1. Daily Mail