It is always interesting when Manchester City drop points because they do it so rarely.

Pep Guardiola and his team are a winning machine, so on the rare occasions when they do not it is worth having a look to see if there are any obvious malfunctions. Clubs up and down the country and beyond wait in vain for somebody to discover an Achilles heel to the side that all can exploit.

There often aren't overarching themes to seize upon but occasionally they can be glimpsed; City used to be more vulnerable immediately after conceding, for example, while this season they have been vulnerable on their left channel as Josko Gvardiol has settled into an unfamiliar role. When the weaknesses are spotted, it takes a very good team to take advantage.

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Chelsea's 4-4 with City before the international break was notable not just because it was entertaining or the rare case of a draw for the champions, but because it was the first time in over three years that Guardiola's side had conceded four in a game. Not since a 5-2 humbling at home to Leicester, a match that accelerated the signing of Ruben Dias, had City been so leaky at the back.

That prompted questions to Guardiola and further analysis after the game over whether teams are more willing to attack City, and whether that may be a way for opponents to get at them. Wolves had been fearless in their 2-1 win earlier in the season, while Arsenal were steelier in their 1-0 win a week later than they were in their surrender at the Etihad back in April.

Liverpool would be one of the better sides to test that out, boasting one of the best attacks in the league that has history for causing City problems. However, their record at Anfield is far better than it is at the Etihad and former striker John Aldridge believes defence is the best strategy for them on Saturday.

"We'll wait and see who [Jurgen Klopp] picks but for me you have to go there with the mindset of what we did at Newcastle or almost did at Tottenham when you go down to 10 or nine men - all dig in and defend," he wrote in the Liverpool Echo. "That's the only way to beat Man City - frustrate them."

Saturday will reveal how much the Liverpool coaching staff agree with Aldridge, but the very fact that there are such contrasting ideas about the best - or only - way to get at City shows that the champions are still looking good enough to stay ahead of the competition and keep people guessing about how to get the better of them.