Liverpool Vs Manchester City: Tactics, Squad News and Score Predictions

Liverpool hosts Manchester City for a match at the Anfield Stadium 19.30 EAT with huge expectations for the title race and the battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The defending champions go into the weekend in sixth place with 39 points.

They are feeling confident after a strong 4-1 victory over Newcastle United last weekend.

Meanwhile, City lost points against 14th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, giving up a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw.

Managers Takes

Arne Slot, “Well, I mean (what) you remember is that a game we played over there in the first half, we were completely outplayed for large parts, not for a complete 45 minutes, but for large parts.”

” It’s another moment for us to see where we are in the development of this team. That, of course, being said, we also know the importance of a result on Sunday but that goes for all the 20 teams that are playing this weekend in the Premier League.”

“It’s the end phase of the season, so results matter more and more. (They are) a very good team that was even able to win yesterday against the team (Newcastle United) that we beat during the weekend, not even with their starters.”

“That tells you, combined with the game we played against them, what a force City still is and always will be.”

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Pep Guardiola’s take on Liverpool,”They remain an exceptional team. Top-class manager and an exceptional team, no doubt.”

“The moments are the moments, the seasons are the seasons, so always remains a good team. Always a tough opponent and a difficult place and stadium, especially with the quality of the players and the managers.”

Tactics

Liverpool

Arne Slot has transitioned Liverpool from a high-octane 4-3-3 to a more controlled 4-2-3-1, emphasizing positional play, structural stability, and increased possession.

Key to this shift are a double-pivot midfield (e.g., Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister) and a “no. 10” role.

The style focuses on building from the back, using wingers to maintain width, and a more structured, zonal high press.

Manchester City

Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola in the 2025/2026 season, primarily utilizes a fluid 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3 formation (used in 53% of matches) to dominate possession and central spaces.

Key tactics involve inverting full-backs (or midfielders operating as full-backs) to create central overloads (4-2-2-2 in possession), while wingers provide width or act as inside forwards, supporting striker Erling Haaland.

Squad News

Liverpool

Arne Slot has revealed he holds “a little bit of hope” that Joe Gomez could feature at the weekend, although he ruled out a start for the injury-prone Englishman.

He’s been missing since the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth.

Jeremie Frimpong is still sidelined for the Reds and joins long-term absentee Conor Bradley on the sidelines.

Dominik Szoboszlai looks likely to reprise his role as right back against the Cityzens.

Giovanni Leoni is still missing at the back, but Ibrahima Konaté made an emotional return to the starting XI last weekend, even scoring in the win over Newcastle.

Alexander Isak is still recovering from his broken leg, while youngsters Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajčetić are also absent.

Liverpool’s possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Manchester City

Rúben Dias was back among the substitutes midweek for the win over Newcastle United and Guardiola has confirmed he could feature in some capacity on Sunday.

John Stones has also recently returned to team training, but will be reintegrated carefully.

Guardiola revealed a late call will need to be made on Bernardo Silva for the trip to Merseyside and there remain significant absentees across the City squad.

Joško Gvardiol is sidelined in defence, Mateo Kovačić in midfield and Savinho and Jérémy Doku out wide, with the latter a particularly sizeable miss given his terrific display in the reverse fixture.

Marc Guéhi was unavailable midweek due to Carabao Cup regulations but will return at Anfield against the club he almost joined last summer.

Guardiola has suggested he’s unsure whether Erling Haaland will lead the line ahead of Omar Marmoush but the Norwegian is expected to feature.

Manchester City’s possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Reijnders, Semenyo; Haaland

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Liverpool Premier League form:

D D D D L W

Liverpool form (all competitions):

W D W L W W

Manchester City Premier League form:

D D D L W D

Manchester City form (all competitions):

L L W W D W

Liverpool vs. Man City Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Liverpool: 2 wins

Man City: 1 win

Draws: 2

Last meeting: Man City 3-0 Liverpool (Nov. 9, 2025)-Premier League

Score Predictions

It’s very hard to know which version of these two teams will show up on Sunday because neither has been consistent in big matches.

Both teams have shaky defenses but strong attacks, so this could be an exciting game with plenty of goals.

Liverpool should be fresher since they didn’t play during the week.

They also have two players in great form right now-Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké.

However, their defense is still a major concern.

Manchester City looked much better in their midweek match after giving away a lead against Spurs.

Pep Guardiola has many strong players to choose from, but like Liverpool, he may still worry about his team’s defense.

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

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Collage photo of Liverpool players and Manchester City players
PHOTO/Club accounts