Liverpool prepared for tough City test

Premier League leaders Liverpool face arguably their toughest challenge of the season so far as they travel to Manchester City, hoping for the three points that will ensure they remain in first place.

The Reds will be without defender Jon Flanagan, who sustained during the 3-1 victory over Cardiff City at the weekend, while Steven Gerrard, Sebastien Coates, Daniel Sturridge and Jose Enrique remain side-lined.

Luis Suarez, who already has ten goals in December – the most by any player in Premier League history, will again lead the line.

Should the Uruguay international score, it would be his thirtieth goal of this calendar year while Alan Shearer currently holds the record of thirty-six with Blackburn Rovers in 1995 – the year the club clinched the title under Kenny Dalglish.

Such is the tightness between the sides at the top of the table, defeat could in fact see Brendan Rodgers’ men finish the day in fifth position.

Second place Arsenal, who are joint on points with Liverpool, make the short trip to struggling West Ham United; fourth place Chelsea host Swansea City and Merseyside rivals Everton, who are currently fifth, welcome bottom of the table Sunderland to Goodison Park.