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Liverpool headed to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in the knowledge they could move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds were handed a boost on Saturday after seeing West Ham unexpectedly win against closest challengers Arsenal.

That meant that a win over Man City a day later would make things incredibly difficult for the Gunners to catch them in the Premier League with just 12 games to go.

Liverpool were given a second positive piece of news in the lead-up to the game after seeing Cody Gakpo named in the matchday squad.

However, with Gakpo not fit enough to start, Arne Slot experimented a little with his attack once again.

After leaving Diogo Jota on the bench and restoring Luis Diaz to the line-up, Gary Neville explained how he spotted Liverpool set up in the early part of the game.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

On Wednesday, with Diaz not risked by Slot, Liverpool set up with Curtis Jones on the left of the attack.

Despite both Jota and Nunez being available in the squad for Sunday, it looked like Liverpool were going with the same kind of system, but with Diaz going through the middle.

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When the game kicked off, though, it was clear that the Colombian was in his favoured left-sided position.

Instead, Jones showed his versatility acting as a kind of false nine.

Watching on for Sky Sports, Neville praised the Liverpool formation.

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“They’re playing the same way they did at Villa where I thought they set up really well,” said the Man United legend.

“Szoboszlai’s in front of Gravenberch and Mac Allister.”

“Curtis Jones is the furthest forward at the moment,” noted lead commentator Peter Drury.

Although Neville was pleased with the way Liverpool set up against City, Slot’s selection was bad news for two Reds stars in particular.

After they both missed guilt-edged chances against Aston Villa, neither Jota nor Nunez could really grumble about being left out.

But the fact that Jones was picked ahead of them both in the most attacking central role was not a good look for either player.

With Liverpool really needing more from Jota and Nunez in terms of finishing their chances, hopefully it will be the kick up the backside they badly need.

This won’t be a long-term fix with Gakpo now fit, but it’ll do for now.
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