THERE have been three misconceptions about Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool this past calendar year, or more accurately two along with a half-truth greatly exaggerated.

All of them combined means that the Reds head to the Etihad this Saturday painted as the underdogs, with expectation and pressure kept to a minimum and naturally enough, Klopp will be delighted by this.

We should be too, because when reality and perception don’t square up, there is usually decent value to be found.

Let’s start with the exaggeration, that being the widely held belief that Liverpool became a spent force last season, exhausted from matching Manchester City’s consistent brilliance for several years running.

We should not of course downplay the problems they had at the back last term, nor dismiss the extent in which they missed Sadio Mane’s dynamism up front. A midfield lacking in brio meanwhile was clearly in need of a change in personnel.

Even so, from April on – ironically following a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad that saw the visitors out-maneuvered throughout – there were definite signs that Liverpool were rediscovering their recent selves. They ended their campaign 11 games unbeaten.

This was not a spent force. This was a formidable creation merely having a breather, a trait we have seen before from Jurgen Klopp teams.

Still, that didn’t stop their summer transfer activity from being erroneously presented as a major renovation and how many times this season have we endured the phrase ‘Klopp MKII’ insinuating this is a new team with a different approach, one that will need time to find its feet and identity.

In truth, we are simply witnessing a great team evolve, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister improving, not changing the set-up. The room and much of the furniture remains the same. It’s just that now they’ve remembered where the light switch is.

Both teams have won 80 corners apiece this season. Even as the visitors that makes the 2/1 available for Liverpool to win the most this weekend a fantastic price

All of which leads us to the final misconception, one that especially intrigues given the momentous clash we’re being served up post the international break.

Because Liverpool’s perceived demise also brought a premature end to the narrative that they and City make up a duopoly, a two-fold dominance of English football that made this game up until 2022 unmissable, decisive and utterly box-office.

Across four seasons, that had City accrue 358 points and Liverpool 357, it was felt that whoever came out on top from their two meetings would secure the title and how odd it is that this weekend’s game is not being given the same significance.

After what amounts to a brief break in the great scheme of things, the duopoly has resumed and nobody appears to have noticed.

Evidence of this is compelling and all around. It’s there at the summit of the table, with Liverpool just a point adrift of leaders City, having lost only once all season, and that courtesy of a contentious, VAR-influenced 96 minutes of madness in North London.

No team has conceded fewer goals in the top-flight this season, which negates the stubborn notion that Liverpool can be ‘got at’ at the back.

Moreover, nothing epitomizes a fully-functioning red machine than when Mo Salah is racking up silly numbers. The prolific Egyptian has fired 12 in 17 to date, with seven in his last five league outings.

Salah incidentally also boasts 16 goal involvements in 18 in this fixture, scoring in all four of their meetings last year across every comp.

Back in-form Salah to score anytime this Saturday @ 39/20

For sure, Arsenal should be included in the conversation when potential title winners are debated but make no mistake about it, when City go to Anfield next March the build-up will begin weeks in advance. This Saturday is no less important, just strangely minus the hype.

So does this mean that Liverpool should be backed to prevail against their arch rivals, in doing so winning their first league game at the Etihad since 2015?

It would take a brave soul to go against a City side that has won their last 23 home games in all competitions, a side that has dropped only two points from winning positions all season. That last detail is pertinent when it’s acknowledged that Pep Guardiola’s men have scored in the opening half an hour in all five of their league games at the Etihad so far.

Granted, last week at the Bridge saw chaos where usually there is control, but we cannot realistically expect another defensive disaster-class anytime soon. Up front meanwhile, they have blasted 3.5 goals per 90 in their last six fixtures.

Both teams lead the way for shots this season, with Liverpool averaging 18 and City 16.5. Over 9.5 shots on target total @ 11/10 is a shout if this contest catches fire

Much of that prolificacy is unsurprisingly enough down to Erling Haaland who may have missed 13 big chances this term – more than any other player – but who has still converted every 78.8 minutes in 2023/24. Phil Foden too is in rich goalscoring form, bagging two in his last three.

Like Salah, the 23-year-old also typically comes alive in this game, with five goal involvements in nine at Liverpool’s expense, not to mention a couple of Man of the Match awards.

The safest bets for this one therefore all involve goals and shots – the last 10 meetings have produced 3.9 goals per 90 – while spot-kick drama cannot be ruled out. The previous ten games involving two of the traditional big six this season has seen a penalty given every 150 minutes as VAR becomes ever-more hyper-critical.

Yes to a penalty being awarded offers up 9/5

As for the outcome, in all honesty Liverpool at 7/2 seriously tempts, but no matter how much Klopp’s side is being under-estimated at present backing against City at the Etihad will always be a fool’s errand.

A high-scoring draw then, available at a great price, is the way to go.

Roll the dice on the draw and over 3.5 goals @ 8/1