Another potential “humdinger” is in store when Man City host Liverpool this weekend, with both sides more flawed than in the past.By the time Sunday’s Premier League clash starts, there is every chance that Arsenal will be nine and 10 points clear of Man City and the Reds, respectively.That highlights the importance of the game, with Liverpool desperate to build on back-to-back wins at home to Aston Villa and Real Madrid.Ahead of a huge match, we spoke to Man City fan and writer Simon Curtis (@bifana_bifana) to preview a big afternoon for both sides. Happy with Man City’s start to the season?Not too bad. There are clear signs of improvement on last season, but still very much a work in progress.Some Man City fans are happy that the players we have will get there eventually, but others are a little more circumspect.That’s because we are no longer watching Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Yaya Toure, and even Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.Meanwhile, former Liverpool man Pep Lijnders appears to have brought smiles and organisation to the bench – or maybe Toure is responsible for the smiles.He is another example of the improved spirit and cohesion of the squad this season. Could this be Pep Guardiola’s last season?I would think so.Pep Guardiola is obviously extremely emotionally invested in the club now, and this comes to the surface frequently, but all good things must come to an end.As they say, you only have to look at some of our rivals to know that even an iconic manager can stay beyond his sell-by date.It’s best to go out on another absolute high if he can. Which three players have stood out and has anyone struggled?Most have been struggling for consistency, to be honest, but Erling Haaland is obviously on fire to a similar degree to when he first came in.He looks hungry, fit and unplayable a lot of the time.Phil Foden has dropped a little deeper and is growing into a new, more mature role, while Nico O’Reilly is clearly the pick of the youngsters.A mention for Giuanluigi Donnarumma, too, who has brought a new aura of confidence to a back-line that was a bit Keystone Kops last season.The £70 million that Tottenham were supposedly prepared to pay for Savinho in August still keeps me awake at night. Is Erling Haaland the best player in the world?There is an argument, quite loud from some quarters, that if he gets injured, City are done for, but there are potential goal sources throughout the team.Omar Marmoush and Foden will weigh in, but you can hardly blame Guardiola for focusing on a striker who is outrunning all the big names in the rate he hits the back of the net.Best in the world? At what he does, perhaps. What do you make of Liverpool’s struggles this season?Surprising. It has been a significant overhaul and that is more difficult to manage than people generally think.Like City, Liverpool fans will think back to a front-three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino and glaze over.But time waits for no one, and you have to upgrade, if possible, from a position of strength, which is exactly what has been done.There were signs against Eintracht Frankfurt and Aston Villa that things are beginning to settle, and contrary to the thoughts of our marvellous national media, the title and cups are not won in October.Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley would have laughed their socks off at questions like, ‘is it Arsenal‘s title now?’Look at the table on Christmas Day for the first signs of permanence. Where will the key battles take place?If anyone thinks there will be anything more interesting or pivotal than watching Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate try to get to grips with Haaland, they’re looking in the wrong direction.Having said that, I worry that a Liverpool engine room functioning coherently will be more than a match for Nico Gonzalez and Bernardo Silva.They are holding fort while we wait the long wait for a fully functioning Rodri.If Guardiola launches Jeremy Doku and Savinho, at least Liverpool’s hard-pressed defence will only have to worry about one flank. Finally, what’s your prediction?A humdinger, as it often is. Man City 2-2 Liverpool.