Diogo Jota of Liverpool Photo: VCG

 "I'm looking forward to seeing Manchester City vs Liverpool this Sunday because that will be a real test," Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said ahead of the weekend's biggest game, which takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

The former Manchester United defender turned broadcaster was speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast.

"We'll get a good guide as to where City are this season and where Liverpool are without [Virgil] Van Dijk," the ex-England defender said of Liverpool's missing defensive talisman.

Dutch defender Van Dijk was injured in the recent derby with Everton and faces the season on the sidelines.

"It wouldn't surprise me if in a few weeks time they go and deal with that issue of Van Dijk and maybe bring in a center back just to get them through, whether it's on loan until the end of the season or a more permanent solution," Neville added. 

"I think Juergen Klopp will be nervous of what could happen, they will be more exposed," Neville said of the missing Dutchman.

They have not missed him so far as the midweek trip to Italy to play last season's UEFA Champions League quarterfinalists Atalanta, which ended with a 5-0 win for the Reds.

Hat trick

New arrival in the summer Diogo Jota scored a hat trick in the resounding win and Neville had praised the Portuguese forward's arrival ahead of the game.

"I thought the signings of Diogo Jota and Thiago were clever, they [Liverpool] supplemented what they already had," he said.

Jota was pleased with his performance in Italy. "I'm playing in the best team of my career so far," he said. "I don't know if it's the best moment of my career, but obviously scoring goals is my way of playing football. 

"The first goal was my favorite because it unlocks the game - for all teams it's important to get the first goal in each game.

"Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are two world-class players, we all know their quality which makes it easier for me to do my job because they are outstanding."

The Liverpool boss praised his players. 

"That was a performance we needed tonight," Klopp said after the win in Bergamo.

"My boys played an incredible game, the front line defending and attacking was outstanding. Midfield organization, desire, readiness. Top level, last line pushing up and knowing the threat Atalanta can cause.

"You win a game 5-0, you could score more goals but our goalie had to still make three world-class saves. 

"It's about the players, it was difficult against us tonight, I don't think anyone could've defended against Mane, Salah and Jota so it wasn't about the tactics or our system it was about the team.

"Ninety percent of my players have three games in the ­international break, my players are still on duty.

"After City this weekend, it's only me who gets a week off. But we have to recover now and we will need it. Then we can see who is available and City are a different team so we have to make sure we're ready for that."

Relishing the game



Before the Atalanta game, Liverpool full back Trent Alexander-Arnold - who was one of three ­academy graduates on the pitch in Italy - spoke at how he was relishing the games coming thick and fast.

"For me personally, I enjoy the fact of playing three games a week," he said. 

"The games coming thick and fast, when you've got momentum there's nothing better. It's tough physically to obviously recover quickly but that's part of the job and I think we're all used to it now. 

"We've been doing it for about three years now, playing so many games, the relentless fixtures," ­Alexander-Arnold said.

The next of those comes against their title rivals from the last two seasons: Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's side had their only European commitments ahead of hosting Liverpool at the weekend, although it did not all go to plan.

The Spaniard had wanted to take off Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne earlier in the game against Olympiacos.

Spanish winger Ferran Torres impressed again in his makeshift striker's role, opening the scoring.

"He played really well again, he scored a brilliant goal, he moves really well with and without the ball," Guardiola said. 

"He's growing, he needs time, it's his first season with us, but we're happy with his performance.

Guardiola also praised the returning Gabriel Jesus in the absence of club record scorer Sergio Aguero. 

The Argentine will not be rushed back for the Liverpool game on Sunday and Guardiola said he will be ready to return after the international break. The Brazilian scored against the Greeks.

"It was important, of course, the fact he's back. It's good news, especially for the striker to score a brilliant goal. I'm delighted with most of the game and happy that Gabriel is back."

No clouds on the horizon

Guardiola, whose future at the Etihad Stadium remains unclear, can see no clouds on the horizon ahead of what could yet again be a season-defining meeting with Klopp's Liverpool.

"I saw the forecast and there is sunshine in Manchester," Guardiola said after beating Olympiacos. 

"They'll have regeneration, a day off and then two days. Now it is time to enjoy the victory, the position in the table and move forward."

Liverpool triumphed last season, wrapping up their first title in 30 years by 18 points, while City won the season before by a single point.

Victory over Liverpool would take City two points behind the champions and Premier League leaders with a game in hand and set up another battle between the clubs for the title. 
Newspaper headline: An early test