Man City star makes two-word Arsenal and Liverpool admission before Mikel Arteta opportunity

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is hopeful that his side can finally break their Anfield curse ahead of 'pretty big' games against Liverpool and Arsenal. The reigning champions are set to face Premier League leaders Liverpool in a crucial match this Sunday, after Arsenal take on Brentford on Saturday.

Despite being second in the league and favourites for the title, City's track record at Anfield is less than stellar. They've only managed one win in front of a crowd since 1981, when Nicolas Anelka scored twice 21 years ago.

Although they did secure a 4-1 victory there last year, it was behind closed doors. This weekend's atmosphere will be a different ball game — while the teams could be looking to knock Arsenal off top spot with Mikel Arteta's side having the opportunity to go above their title rivals the previous afternoon.

Akanji said: «It definitely will be massive. The winner will go to the top of the league. I don't want to talk about the title race but it would be a big win for us.

»We haven't done the best there in the past but why not change it this weekend? We know how hard it is but we'll go there and try to get the three points like we always do."

Akanji has only played at Anfield once before, where City suffered a 1-0 loss, but he remains optimistic. «But in the end we just focus on us, even if the crowd is pushing them,» he said. «If we put on the type of performance we want then I think we can win the game.»

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Akanji scored as City made it to the Champions League quarter-finals again with a 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday. He