Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday in what promises to be a lively encounter as the Reds look to bounce back from their opening day defeat, while the Citizens seek to take another step towards retaining their title.

What Culture looks at the key head to heads in the weekend’s headline fixture, who will come out on top?

 

5. Reina v Hart

Both Liverpool and Manchester City have very reliable guardians between the sticks. Pepe Reina has been at Liverpool since 2005, and the Spanish international has proven himself to be a top class keeper; while Joe Hart’s career has risen meteorically in the past couple of years, cementing himself as England’s no. 1 and the league’s best keeper.

Pepe Reina is a seasoned Premier League goalkeeper, constantly seen as one of the best custodians in the top flight. He has played 7 seasons for Liverpool, notching up an admirable tally of 161 clean sheets. He shipped 3 goals against West Brom on the opening day in an abysmal Liverpool display, but will be looking to put things right on Sunday.

Joe Hart made 105 appearances for Man City over the past two seasons. In those games, he has kept an incredible 50 clean sheets and received huge praise from fans and pundits alike, who in their majority consider him to be the finest goalkeeper in the top flight. Hart also didn’t have the best start to this season, conceding twice to newly promoted Southampton although City eventually prevailed in a thrilling 3-2 win.

Verdict: I think that Pepe Reina will probably be tested more regularly than Hart in their two clubs encounter, but such is Hart’s pedigree that I expect him to keep his focus nonetheless. Joe Hart wins this one in my opinion.

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