Liverpool host Manchester City in an eagerly anticipated Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday at 4:30pm.
Man City go into the game still perfect in the Premier League looking to make it six wins from six. But that won’t be the main focus of this match. This is the first game for the Citizens after they were found guilty of 114 charges relating to the Premier League’s financial rules. It’s fitting that it comes against one of their biggest on-pitch rivals of the past few seasons.
But this is not the title-challenging Liverpool. The Reds do remain unbeaten in the league under Andoni Iraola and sit sixth after five games. They’ve won two of those with three draws, including stalemates in both of their home matches so far.
Man City have won the past three meetings between these sides across all competitions, ending a four-game winless run.
Liverpool vs Man City team news
Liverpool team news
Iraola will be waiting until the last minute to make any decisions regarding Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak. Both players had to withdraw from international duty during the break due to injuries. Isak picked up a thigh problem in Sweden’s win over Romania, while Gakpo suffered an ankle injury while representing Netherlands against Serbia.
With options elsewhere, Gakpo may not be risked and Victor Munoz could start in his stead, with Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz making up the rest of the attack. But Isak may still lead the line, with a lack of high-quality striking options.
Jeremy Jacquet also missed France’s win over Belgium with a hamstring injury, but he is expected to start at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. The rest of the Liverpool team should remain the same, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the double pivot. Ronaldo Araujo is expected to stay at right-back ahead of Jeremie Frimpong, with Milos Kerkez on the left.
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are all still out, but Federico Chiesa could be available for selection after injury.
Man City team news
Man City may be without Nico O’Reilly for the trip to Anfield after he suffered an injury while on international duty. The left-back played the full 90 minutes for England in their opening defeat to Spain but withdrew from the squad after missing the win over Czech Republic. The extent of any injury hasn’t been revealed, but O’Reilly is unlikely to be available at least from the start.
But there’s an easy replacement in Josko Gvardiol, who has been Enzo Maresca’s first-choice left-back this season. As such, Man City may name an unchanged side from their win over Sunderland. Antoine Semenyo had to pull out of Ghana’s squad but he is expected to be fit to start at Anfield. Phil Foden is serving the final game of his suspension after being sent off in the Manchester derby.
Matheus Nunes should continue at right-back with Gvardiol on the left, and Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias as the centre-back pairing. Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson are likely to form the double pivot. Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland complete the attack.
Liverpool vs Man City predicted lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
Man City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.