The visitors, meanwhile, will be competing in their first match under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.
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The Reds would need a favour from Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at the Etihad in order for that to become a possibility, while they would also need to hold up their end of the bargain by ending an unforgettable domestic campaign on a high.
Fresh from booking their place in a third Champions League final from the last five seasons, Jurgen Klopp’s side play their penultimate home game of an unforgettable campaign against a team with plenty riding on the fixture themselves.
Fifteen places and 47 points separate the local rivals in the standings at the time of writing, with the Reds still challenging for the quadruple while Frank Lampard’s side scrap for their safety.
second-placed Reds find themselves just one point behind Manch
The Reds advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-1 success over Norwich City on Wednesday night, while David Moyes’s men crashed out to Southampton.
The Reds were held by 10-man Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Thursday, while the Bees’ most recent game ended in a humbling at the hands of Southampton.
Just one place and two points separate the two sides in the table, with Liverpool sitting fourth and Arsenal fifth after 11 games of the campaign.
While Jurgen Klopp’s side were scoring for fun at the Theatre of Dreams, the Seagulls were on the opposite end of a 4-1 thrashing to the other Manchester club.
The two powerhouses currently occupy first and second in the Premier League table after six matches, with Jurgen Klopp’s side one point above their title rivals at the summit.
Jurgen Klopp’s side saw off Burnley 2-0 in gameweek two, while Chelsea eased to victory at Arsenal by the same scoreline.
Jurgen Klopp’s side eased to a routine 3-0 victory at Norwich City last weekend, whereas the Clarets were sunk 2-1 by Brighton & Hove Albion on home soil.
The Reds and Chelsea have matters in their own hands, unlike Leicester City, and a victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield should be enough for them to wrap up a place in the top four.
The champions were on the end of a 7-2 humiliation in the reverse fixture at Villa Park in October – one of nine defeats they have suffered this season to leave them playing catch-up in the top-four race.
The relegation-threatened Cottagers will be the second West London outfit to visit Anfield in the space of three days following Chelsea’s victory there on Thursday night – a fifth consecutive home defeat for the champions.
The champions have plummeted to sixth place following a dramatic dip in form over the past two months, giving their neighbours from across Stanley Park the chance to move level on points with them this afternoon if they can end their long Anfield hoodoo.
Seven points separate the two sides in the table following a poor run of form for the Reds, coupled with a relentless winning streak from Pep Guardiola’s men in recent weeks.
The Reds are four points clear at the summit following last weekend’s 7-0 hammering of Crystal Palace, but in Sam Allardyce they face the last visiting manager to come away with a league victory at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side head into the weekend with only goal difference keeping them off the top of the table, but Wolves could move to within just one point of their opponents if they end the Reds’ long unbeaten run at home.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have top spot and history in their sights but must first overcome a crippling injury crisis against a Leicester side that has set the early pace this season under former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.