The Etihad Stadium is looking as safe as Fort Knox for Manchester City.

Not since Sunderland in 1892 have an English top-flight team won 24 consecutive home games in all competitions. 

But City will equal that 131-year-old record on Saturday unless Liverpool can become the first visitors since Brentford in November 2022 to penetrate the seemingly impenetrable.

While Pep Guardiola’s men have looked more human away from home — losing to Wolves and Arsenal and conceding four at Chelsea — the Etihad is where they have turned into the Premier League’s greatest modern-day test. 

Just as Highbury brought the best out of us at Arsenal in our Invincibles season of 2003-04, City can totally express themselves at home.

City’s play is hypnotic, the way their players find pockets of space and create triangles in order to pass their opponents into submission. 

If the timing and rhythm of their passing isn’t quite right, Rico Lewis acts as the conductor, making sure it all clicks into place. 

He did it last season when it was needed and, even though he is a 19-year-old surrounded by superstars, Guardiola has shown no hesitation in asking Lewis to do it again this term.

Liverpool, renowned for their relentless pressing under Jurgen Klopp, have adapted of late. I’ve noticed more focus on passing. 

When Klopp lost Sadio Mane, that stripped their press of energy. 

They are still adept at winning possession high up the pitch, but Liverpool have been moving the ball more swiftly, helped by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s transition into a midfield set-up that was completely overhauled in the summer.

Previously, we billed this blockbuster clash between City and Liverpool as the best passers versus the best pressers. But we might see Liverpool try to beat City at their own game, with Alexander-Arnold bidding to control the game from midfield.

198 - Mo Salah is two goals short of bringing up 200 for Liverpool. He remains fifth on their all-time list behind I Rush (346), R Hunt (285), G Hodgson (241) and B Liddell (228).