The Premier League’s two most potent attacks go head-to-head when Manchester City host Liverpool on Thursday.

Third-placed City have scored an incredible 51 goals in their 17 top flight fixtures this term – nine more than the table-topping Reds have notched in the same number of games.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been particularly prolific at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 35 while conceding just five to take maximum points from their seven matches on home turf this season.

They have lost just two of their last 56 Premier League games at hom and beat Arsenal – who sit second after their 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Monday – 6-3 in their last outing at the Etihad.

City followed that win up with a 4-2 victory at Fulham last Saturday but free-scoring Liverpool will take heart from the fact Pellegrini’s team have conceded nine goals in their last four league matches.

Brendan Rodgers’ men have responded brilliantly to their 3-1 reverse at Hull City on December 1, winning four games in a row and scoring 17 goals in the process.

Luis Suarez’s scintillating form has been the driving force behind Liverpool’s run, with the Uruguayan notching 10 goals since the loss at the KC Stadium to take his Premier League tally to 19 in just 12 appearances this term.

That total puts Suarez six goals clear of City’s Argentine striker, Sergio Aguero, in the race for the golden boot and he has the opportunity to extend that lead further on Thursday as his South American counterpart is sidelined with a calf problem.

Aguero’s compatriot, Pablo Zabaleta, could also be missing after suffering a hamstring injury in their Capital One Cup win over Leicester City, while Micah Richards (hamstring), Matija Nastasic (calf) and Stevan Jovetic (knock) are also doubtful.

The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 2-2 draw, although both of Liverpool’s goalscorers on that occasion – Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard – will miss Thursday’s clash with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

Defenders Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates (both knee) remain long-term absentees for Rodgers.

It was a weekend of Premier League action that provided incredible competition for places in Goal‘s Team of the Week. Peter Crouch, Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling and Yohan Cabaye all missed out narrowly despite scoring key goals for their respective teams, which gives you an idea of the quality on display over this latest round of fixtures,

Given the amazing attacking talent on display, it was never going to be a big weekend for goalkeepers (or centre-backs). That said, Ben Foster (3) did make one eye-catching double save for West Brom against Hull City, which edges him ahead of the competition.

In defence, Seamus Coleman (4) is the stand-out option at right-back. The Irishman scored a blockbuster of a goal against Swansea City and put in another great performance which did nothing to hamper his burgeoning reputation.

Mamadou Sakho (3.5) and Per Mertesacker (3) are our central defensive pairing. Sakho is beginning to look a permanent fixture in the heart of the Liverpool defence these days, while Mertesacker was the star man in a quiet night in north London on Monday.

Danny Rose (4) completes the defence after shining against Southampton for Tim Sherwood’s Tottenham. The 23-year-old reminded Spurs fans what they had been missing in his absence with a number of pacey surges forward.

Jordan Henderson (4.5) is the first name in our three-man midfield. The England international is in for the second week running thanks to another brilliant showing for Liverpool, directly creating two goals and playing a major part in a third.

After another good weekend for Merseyside football, Ross Barkley (4.5) makes his way into our midfield after scoring an excellent free kick to see off Swansea. His chances of playing at the World Cup in Brazil are looking better by the week.

David Silva (4.5) completes the midfield after putting in a man of the match display in Manchester City’s win at Fulham. He was always finding gaps to create chances, assisted two goals, won the free kick for another and also rattled the crossbar.

Up front, making his first appearance of the season is Emmanuel Adebayor (4.5) who returned to the Tottenham first team with a bang to score two goals, including the winner, against Southampton.

Luis Suarez (4.5), of course, is in yet again. After signing a new, big-money deal on Friday he bagged a double and set up another in Liverpool’s 3-1 win against Cardiff a day later. It is, quite incredibly, his sixth appearance of the season.

Adam Lallana (4) completes the forward line after another brilliant performance, this time against Spurs. If he keeps up that level he will surely be in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad.

The forward gave a candid interview in which he praised Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, sung his own chant and revealed his love of a Uruguayan beverage

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez looks happier than ever on Meryseyside as he shows his softer side in an interview with a young fan.

Finn, resident presenter of Liverpool FC TV’s Kop Kids, sits down with the 26-year-old striker, who tops the Premier League’s scoring charts with 19 goals.

Suarez was given a far friendlier welcome than when a Tottenham mascot recently snubbed his handshake at White Hart Lane, and talked about topics ranging from his love of from mate – a South American tea – to nut-megs.

The forward, who spoke in almost perfect English, also praised Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, explained the goalscoring celebrations that have been an incredibly frequent sight this season and even gave a rendition of his own chant.

                       No handshake-gate | Shaking hands isn’t so hard after all (Liverpool FC)

Suarez’s son, Benjamin, was born in Liverpool earlier this year and when probed as to whether that made Suarez Junior a Scouser, he replied: “Yes, I think so.

“And my daughter also, she goes to nursery, and she speaks like a Scouser. I don’t understand her when she speaks with me in English!”

            Lifelong ambition | The young fan takes his chance to nut-meg Suarez (Liverpool FC)

The Uruguayan added: “I think Brendan Rodgers is a very good coach – he loves to speak with players for their confidence.

“I hope one day to win the league and win a big trophy with Liverpool. It is my dream.”

Kop Kids is back over Christmas, with the Suarez episode shown for free on Liverpool FC TV (Sky channel 429 or Virgin 554) on Boxing Day at 10:00 and 15:00.

The second brand new epsiode features a sit-down with Brazilian star Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe meeting a magician, and Luis Enrique discussing the game’s hot topics. That action-packed show can be seen on December 27 at 10:00, 15:00 and 18:30.