Man City punishments and Everton points deduction dominate but explosive subplot could emerge at Liverpool training ground

A look at what Jurgen Klopp might be discussing in his Friday press conference ahead of the trip to Manchester City

Jurgen Klopp will be speaking live to the media to preview Saturday’s trip to Manchester City at 1.30pm on Friday.

With the top-of-the-table clash coming in the dreaded – and much criticised – 12.30pm kick-off slot, the Reds will be aiming for victory at a ground they haven’t won at in the Premier League since the early days of Klopp’s reign, way back in November 2015.

With Klopp a vocal critic of the timing of Saturday’s game – and the fact that this will be the Reds’ third early kick-off immediately after the international break – it will be interesting to see what the Liverpool manager adds on the topic.

Here is what could be on the agenda when Klopp speaks on Friday lunchtime.

Everton’s points deduction

The big football story of the past week has been the Premier League’s unprecedented decision to dock Everton 10 points for breaching their Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Every manager across the division will likely be asked about the situation before the weekend’s fixtures and Klopp will be no different. Given the fact that such a punishment has been meted out to the Reds’ local rivals, it will add an extra layer of intrigue as to what the manager will say and Klopp has rarely played the straight bat to questions during his time on Merseyside.

While Klopp will no doubt have some sympathy for counterpart Sean Dyche, who now finds his team plunged back into the relegation zone through no fault of his own, the Reds manager’s words will be poured over intently by both sets of supporters across the city and beyond.

Sympathy, however, might be in short supply at Anfield in general given the local rivalry and more so the fact that owners Fenway Sports Group have always kept Liverpool run on a tight, risk-averse ship when it comes to spending, even if that has been a policy that has frustrated large swathes of the fanbase at plenty of junctures during transfer windows. Either way, Klopp’s words will make for fascinating listening.