Ruben Dias will be one of the senior figures at Manchester City trying to amp up his side ahead of their upcoming trip to Merseyside to take on Liverpool.
Nathan Ake praised Dias as a “leader” and as one of City’s captains, he will be relishing such a responsibility.
Since heading to Manchester City in 2020, the Portuguese defender has only won twice in eight outings against Liverpool in the Premier League, losing once and drawing on five occasions.
However, Ruben Dias could consider a potential victory at Anfield as his most special victory against Liverpool, as such a result could allow Manchester City to send a statement to their title rivals.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 8 | 16 | 31 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 25 |
| 3 |  BrightonBrighton | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 23 |
| 4 |  Man CityManchester City | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 23 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 22 |
| 6 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 13 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 22 |
It is also important to remember Arsenal handled business against West Ham United on Saturday in their emphatic 5-2 win at the London Stadium.
Currently, Manchester City are not just eight points adrift of league leaders Liverpool but they are also two points behind Arsenal while Brighton & Hove Albion have a better goal difference than them — having played one more league game.
Dias’ “message” for Manchester City fans
In December’s edition of Manchester City’s official magazine, Dias sent a message to the Manchester City supporters to ignore the negative talk surrounding them and backing the players and the club during their ongoing rut.
“I most definitely have a message for all our fans.”
“Football is like this, the more you win, the more difficult it is when these moments happen because you’ve won so much and to keep that mentality, it’s not an easy job but that is our job and we want to do it as quickly as possible.”
Dias added: “It’s the way to be in this club and my specific message to our fans is this more than ever, block out the noise. Protect their house and protect their players.”
“Obviously, there will always be opinions in football, but always protect your house. Protect your own.”
The four-time Premier League winner concluded: “We can go against the world if we have to, we are fighting for the same team, same club, the same project and the the same dream.”
“As long as we stick together, we will always find a way through because everything turns in the end and the light shines through.”
Will Ruben Dias start against Liverpool?
Manchester City fans would also have been delighted to discover that Dias is ready to face Liverpool, having confirmed that he has returned to full fitness, making him a potential starter at Anfield.
“It’s never easy to be on the sidelines for any game, whatever reason and in any context. Obviously, that moment was not the best and you want to help your teammates and be there fighting alongside them.”
“Going into the start of December, I am fully fit, though have just returned to training after four weeks out, but feel good.”
Manchester City have suffered in the former Benfica centre-back’s absence, who has been ruled out of their last five games through injury.
Dias seems ready to help City return to their unplayable best and is ready to prove to the fans why Pep Guardiola’s men remain one of the best teams in the world.
The decorated colossus’ latest comments indicate how fired up he is amidst Manchester City’s crisis of form.
