There were a number of terrific performers during Liverpool's pre-season, but Coutinho was unquestionably the standout player throughout the summer. The 22-year-old was a joy to watch in almost every game, producing defence-splitting passes, beating players with his magical feet and enjoying a wonderful, almost telepathic, understanding with Sterling. Against City, it is highly likely that Coutinho will be deployed on the left of a front three in Rodgers' preferred 4-3-3 formation. Up against him will be Clichy, who has been occupying a rare right-back role during pre-season and the start of the Premier League, in the absence of first-choice star Pablo Zabaleta. Coutinho will feel he can get the better of the Frenchman, and it is surely an area of the pitch that Rodgers has pinpointed as a weakness of City's. Although Clichy has done adequately there, it will be fascinating to see how he copes when he comes up against a player of the Brazilian's class. Defensively the former Arsenal man has never been the best, but he's likely to look even shakier being played out of position. There is a chance that Zabaleta could return, but such is his lack of football since the World Cup, Coutinho would fancy his chances against the Argentina right-back too.
