No defeats in their last six league games have seen a more joyous set of Manchester City fans in the Transfer Tavern of late.

The big games keep on coming for City, too, and Sunday sees them welcome Liverpool to the Etihad in a massive game in the fight for qualification for next season’s Champions League.

It also reignites Guardiola’s battle against the Reds’ boss, Jurgen Klopp who have a rivalry dating to when both managers were in charge of German clubs – Guardiola being in charge of Bayern Munich whilst Klopp was at the helm of Borussia Dortmund.

Though there is nothing to give in the managers’ head to head record, City fans have had to endure constant reminders from Liverpool fans of their 1-0 defeat at Anfield in December, with Georginio Wijnaldum’s header being the difference between the two sides.

Though Liverpool were the victors in that fixture, our landlord predicts it will have no bearing on another spicy affair at the Etihad on Sunday and believes Guardiola must pick this XI to grab a result…

GK:Willy Caballero

The Argentine keeper has certainly calmed our resident City fans in the Transfer Tavern with a higher level of consistency than previous keeper, Claudio Bravo.

RB: Bacary Sagna

Guardiola will be counting on Sagna’s experience to thwart a threatening Liverpool front line, though he should be boosted about coming up against an out of sorts Philippe Coutinho.

CB: John Stones

The former Everton defender will be subject to abuse from the Liverpool fans due to his former connections, it’ll be up to him to keep his cool.

CB: Nicolas Otamendi

There is a feeling in the Transfer Tavern that Otamendi must simply be on top of his game to prevent Liverpool from dominating the City defensive third on Sunday.

LB: Gael Clichy

Our landlord believes that Sadio Mane will be arguably Clichy’s most challenging opponent he’s faced this season come Sunday, he’ll need to be on top of his game.

CM: Kevin de Bruyne

Vital to the creation of City’s chances, our resident Citizens in the Tavern are hoping to see plenty of de Bruyne on Sunday.

CM: Yaya Toure

Our landlord has been impressed with Toure’s attitude since he was reintroduced to the City side by Pep Guardiola. He could be the difference in the vital midfield battle.

CM: David Silva

Along with de Bruyne, the Spanish wizard is vital to the supply to the City front men. He’s truly world class and Liverpool will have to make sure they keep him quiet.

RW: Raheem Sterling

Liverpool fans in the Tavern have already started abusing Sterling for the weekend’s fixture, even though they can’t deny their former man has found a new level under Pep Guardiola.

ST: Sergio Aguero

Back among the goals, Aguero has seemingly hit form at the right time much to the delight of the City punters in the Tavern. He has the potential to give the Reds’ defence nightmares.