Liverpool vs. Man City: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Sunday’s headline fixture promises entertainment. | Visionhaus/Getty Images (Liverpool), Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images (Man City)Liverpool and Manchester City will stage a tantalizing Premier League duel at Anfield this Sunday, one that is brimming with narrative on and off the field.

Liverpool and Manchester City will stage a tantalizing Premier League duel at Anfield this Sunday, one that is brimming with narrative on and off the field.

This is the first outing for the Cityzens since they were found guilty of financial doping over a nine-year period. The verdict has united the soccer world against them and the Reds will be the first side to attempt to deliver their own form of justice this weekend.

This is the first outing for the Cityzens since they were found guilty of financial doping over a nine-year period. The verdict has united the soccer world against them and the Reds will be the first side to attempt to deliver their own form of justice this weekend.

Liverpool, who have finished runner-up to Premier League-winning City teams on three occasions since 2009, are seeking a statement victory to help ignite the Andoni Iraola era and lift them up the standings. They remain unbeaten under the new manager, but have so far won just two of their five matches in the league.

Liverpool, who have finished runner-up to Premier League-winning City teams on three occasions since 2009, are seeking a statement victory to help ignite the Andoni Iraola era and lift them up the standings. They remain unbeaten under the new manager, but have so far won just two of their five matches in the league.

City, meanwhile, have won all five of their Premier League matches under Enzo Maresca, who is remarkably confident that the club’s appeal against its financial misconduct charges will prove successful. He’ll hope his players mirror his belief when stepping onto the Anfield turf this weekend as they bid for a sixth straight win. The welcome is sure to be hostile.

City, meanwhile, have won all five of their Premier League matches under Enzo Maresca, who is remarkably confident that the club’s appeal against its financial misconduct charges will prove successful. He’ll hope his players mirror his belief when stepping onto the Anfield turf this weekend as they bid for a sixth straight win. The welcome is sure to be hostile.

Man City won all three games against Liverpool last season. | Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesWell, where to start with this one?

Liverpool’s matches with City always deliver fireworks, no matter the venue or competition, but the upcoming clash carries significant weight following recent revelations about the scale of City’s financial misconduct between 2009 and 2018.

Liverpool’s matches with City always deliver fireworks, no matter the venue or competition, but the upcoming clash carries significant weight following recent revelations about the scale of City’s financial misconduct between 2009 and 2018.

The Reds, who have every right to feel particularly aggrieved by City’s cheating, will be determined to enjoy the last laugh in front of a deafening Anfield crowd which will spur on Iraola’s side.

The Reds, who have every right to feel particularly aggrieved by City’s cheating, will be determined to enjoy the last laugh in front of a deafening Anfield crowd which will spur on Iraola’s side.

It’s impossible to predict exactly how City’s players will react to the verdict on the field. Erling Haaland urged supporters to “stick together, enjoy the ride and smile,” but will his teammates be able to stay so composed? Only time will tell.

It’s impossible to predict exactly how City’s players will react to the verdict on the field. Erling Haaland urged supporters to “stick together, enjoy the ride and smile,” but will his teammates be able to stay so composed? Only time will tell.

No matter the outcome, this appears an unmissable occasion.

No matter the outcome, this appears an unmissable occasion.

Iraola has ruled Isak and Gakpo out of contention for the match, with the former battling an ankle issue and the latter a thigh problem. It remains to be seen when they will return to the fold, with Liverpool in Champions League action next Wednesday against LASK.

Iraola has ruled Isak and Gakpo out of contention for the match, with the former battling an ankle issue and the latter a thigh problem. It remains to be seen when they will return to the fold, with Liverpool in Champions League action next Wednesday against LASK.

With Hugo Ekitiké also sidelined and Federico Chiesa still a doubt in the final third, Iraola will have to find some creative solutions. As a result, Bradley Barcola could lead the line ahead of young Lewis Koumas, with Rio Ngumoha and Víctor Muñoz flanking the Frenchman.

With Hugo Ekitiké also sidelined and Federico Chiesa still a doubt in the final third, Iraola will have to find some creative solutions. As a result, Bradley Barcola could lead the line ahead of young Lewis Koumas, with Rio Ngumoha and Víctor Muñoz flanking the Frenchman.

In better news for the Reds, Iraola has confirmed that Jérémy Jacquet is available after suffering a slight hamstring injury with France. He will start alongside Virgil van Dijk in defense.

In better news for the Reds, Iraola has confirmed that Jérémy Jacquet is available after suffering a slight hamstring injury with France. He will start alongside Virgil van Dijk in defense.

Florian Wirtz should continue in the No. 10 role despite his disappointing club form, with Alexis Mac Allister partnering Dominik Szoboszlai behind the German. Ryan Gravenberch will most likely be used from the bench.

Florian Wirtz should continue in the No. 10 role despite his disappointing club form, with Alexis Mac Allister partnering Dominik Szoboszlai behind the German. Ryan Gravenberch will most likely be used from the bench.

Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are still recovering from long-term injuries.

Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are still recovering from long-term injuries.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Man City (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Muñoz, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Barcola.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Man City (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Muñoz, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Barcola.

With Haaland cleared to play at Anfield, Maresca’s only injury concerns center around Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly after they were both forced to withdraw early from international duty.

With Haaland cleared to play at Anfield, Maresca’s only injury concerns center around Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly after they were both forced to withdraw early from international duty.

Semenyo has since returned to team training with City, recovering from the swollen leg which saw him leave the Ghana camp. O’Reilly, however, remains a major doubt and is unlikely to start at Anfield.

Semenyo has since returned to team training with City, recovering from the swollen leg which saw him leave the Ghana camp. O’Reilly, however, remains a major doubt and is unlikely to start at Anfield.

City will definitely be without Phil Foden, who is still suspended following his red card in the Manchester derby. Iliman Ndiaye will be deployed on the right wing as his replacement.

City will definitely be without Phil Foden, who is still suspended following his red card in the Manchester derby. Iliman Ndiaye will be deployed on the right wing as his replacement.

A new-look midfield of Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández will protect the back four, which should include Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi and Joško Gvardiol.

A new-look midfield of Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández will protect the back four, which should include Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi and Joško Gvardiol.

Rayan Cherki will be seeking to conjure some magic in the No. 10 position.

Rayan Cherki will be seeking to conjure some magic in the No. 10 position.

Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernández; Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.

Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernández; Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.

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Published just now | Modified just nowEWAN ROSS-MURRAYEwan Ross-Murray is a soccer writer for SI FC. He boasts years of experience following his First Class Honours in Journalism from the University of Leicester, producing a variety of content from match reports and news pieces to more extensive features on an array of topics. With Scottish, Welsh and English heritage, Ross-Murray’s soccer influences are far-ranging, but his primary focus is on the Premier League and Champions League.