Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview, prediction, team news, lineups | Premier League 2026-27

The Reds and the Cityzens prepare for a tactical battle that could shape the early title race.

Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, in one of the Premier League season’s biggest fixtures. The encounter pits two of English football’s leading clubs against each other, with both sides looking to strengthen their position in the early title race.

The fixture has regularly produced high-intensity contests, with individual battles in midfield and the final third often proving decisive. With quality across both Liverpool and Manchester City squads, the result could have a significant impact on the Premier League standings.

Kick-off Details

• Competition: Premier League 2026-27
• Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
• Time: 4:30 PM BST / 9:00 PM IST
• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
• Referee: Chris Kavanagh
• VAR: In use

Form

Liverpool: W-W-D-W-W

Manchester City: W-W-W-W-W

Players to watch out for

Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)

Wirtz is expected to play a key creative role behind Liverpool’s forward line. His ability to find space between the midfield and defensive lines could be important against City’s press. Particularly if the Reds are missing key forwards.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Haaland is City’s main goal threat, having scored regularly since the start of the season. His fitness will be important, as City have limited natural alternatives at centre-forward if he cannot start.

Match Facts

• Manchester City have won all five of their opening Premier League matches in 2026-27.
• The Reds have recorded two wins and three draws in their first five league games.
• City won both league meetings with Liverpool during the 2025-26 season.
• Manchester City are seeking consecutive Premier League away wins at Anfield for the first time since 1953.
• Phil Foden is suspended for Manchester City, while Liverpool have injury concerns involving Isak, Gakpo and Jacquet.

Betting tips & odds

• Tip 1: Manchester City to win – 29/20 with bet365.
• Tip 2: Erling Haaland to score anytime – 5/4 with bet365.
• Tip 3: Bradley Barcola to score anytime – 10/3

Injury & team news

Liverpool are dealing with several injury concerns ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield. Alexander Isak is a major doubt after returning from international duty with a thigh injury, while Cody Gakpo is suffering an ankle problem. Both players missed training on Thursday.

Hugo Ekitike remains unavailable with an Achilles injury, while Conor Bradley is sidelined with a knee problem. Federico Chiesa has returned to training after a back injury and could be considered for selection. Jérémy Jacquet is also a doubt with a hamstring issue.

If Isak and Gakpo are unavailable, Liverpool may have to reshuffle their attack, with Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Victor Muñoz among the potential options.

Manchester City will be without Phil Foden, who is serving the final match of his suspension following his sending-off in the Manchester derby. Nico O’Reilly is a doubt after withdrawing from international duty with an injury concern.

Antoine Semenyo is also a doubt after reporting ankle inflammation while on international duty. Jeremy Doku could provide an alternative on the wing if Semenyo is unavailable.

Erling Haaland is expected to lead City’s attack. His early substitution for Norway during the international break is reported as planned rather than injury-related.

Head-to-head stats

• Matches Played: 44
• Liverpool: 17
• Manchester City: 13
• Draw: 14

Predicted Lineup

Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Alisson Becker, Ronald Araújo, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Victor Muñoz, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Rio Ngumoha.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1)

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi, Joško Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, Rayan Cherki, Iliman Ndiaye, Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland.

Match Prediction

Manchester City’s perfect start and recent record against Liverpool give them a narrow edge. However, Anfield and the Reds’ unbeaten run make this a difficult fixture to call, especially with both teams dealing with injury concerns.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City

Telecast Details

US: NBC Sports 4K, NBC, Peacock and Telemundo

UK: Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports+ app, NOW, Sky Sports UHD 1

India: Star Sports Select 1 and JioHotstar

Nigeria: SuperSport MaXimo 1

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