Man City vs Liverpool - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as the top two go head-to-head in a mouth-watering clash at the Etihad

'John is not ready but is on the bench.' He told Sky Sports. 'It is what it is.

Tight games, we win, we lose, we compete. We were so so tight two or three times, the quality of the manager and the players is always there. It’s always tough.

'It’s completely different [to last season].

'We prepare in the same way, knowing what they do and what happened in the past. Liverpool play differently so you have to adapt and adjust, but in terms of preparation is the same.'

According to The Athletic's Sam Lee, the England international misses the game due to illness.

While City fans won't be happy to see him no involved, it is some relief that his omission is not down to injury

'We do [feel differently than they did in April match]. It’s a different challenge, new season, new players came in.' The Brazilian told Sky Sports. 'We are really excited. The effort, the quality of the players that the club brought in, is amazing.

'We believe we can do something special.Coming here to play Man City, they’re still one of the best teams in the world, but for ourselves is a new challenge, first time for a few players playing against them at their ground.

'You don’t know what will happen but we are excited and we have a lot of desire to win the game with all due respect for the other team.'

Jurgen Klopp has sprung a few suprises in his line-up, bringing back Jones in midfield. Jota gets rewarded for his fine form in place of Diaz and Matip makes his 200th appearance for the Reds.

Most of City's injury worries have made the cut to start including Ederson, Ake - who comes in for Gvardiol at left back - and Haaland.

Stones also returns to the squad, while Doku gets the nod and NO Grealish.

The former Manchester United defender believes that the next few months will be vital in deciding who will win the Premier League this term.

'These next four months are where the pretenders fall away.' He said on Sky Sports. 'I don’t think we’re watching champions in Jurgen Klopp’s team but we’re watching a team that could potentially be champions in the next couple of years.'

All the way in Abu Dhabi, Man City legend Sergio Aguero is showing his support for his former team by sporting a custom race suit at the final Grand Prix weekend of the F1 calendar.

There's some good early news for City. Stones is back in the squad. The England defender has been a massive miss in recent weeks as he was forced to the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

To Mail Sport's live coverage of the heavyweight Premier League showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad.

The league's return following the international break gets off to one hell of a start with a meeting of the top two in a fixture that has produced immense quality in the past.

Contrary to their encounters last season, the side's go into the game relatively well matched, although the Reds haven't tasted victory at the home of the champions in nearly a decade.

We'll have all the updates for you ahead of kick-off at 12.30pm, including team news and quotes from the managers.

And then we'll be here for all the match action once it gets underway. Let's get going!