Sunday’s clash between Liverpool and Manchester City is easily one of the most anticipated fixtures in the Premier League calendar — not just because of the historic rivalry between the two giants of English football, but because of the high stakes in the title race, momentum shifts, and important narratives for both teams as they head into the second half of the season.
What’s at stake?
For Liverpool : momentum, pride, and a chance to boost their season
Liverpool enter this showdown knowing a positive result could reshape their Premier League campaign. They remain behind Manchester City in the table, but a win at Anfield — a ground where they have historically been difficult to beat for City — can kickstart a late surge up the standings and make a strong statement against a title rival. The Reds haven’t consistently challenged at the very top this season, but beating a direct competitor like City would inject confidence into both squad and fanbase alike.
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have shown flashes of quality — especially in attack — but inconsistency and injuries have plagued them. A win would not only keep pressure on the teams above them but also reinforce belief that Liverpool can mix it up with the very best, even if their own title hopes are already slim.
For Manchester City : Title race control and psychological edge
For Manchester City, this match represents a chance to maintain firm control of the Premier League title race. Pep Guardiola’s side sit above their rivals in the standings, but their form has been uneven recently, with only one league win in their last five matches. City are still firmly in the hunt, but defeat at Anfield could see them slip further behind league leaders Arsenal — a gap that might feel insurmountable if it widens to nine points.
City also know that psychological blows matter: dropping points at Anfield — where Liverpool have traditionally dominated — could embolden other challengers and dent confidence across Guardiola’s squad. Winning here would reaffirm City’s credentials and send a clear signal that they remain the team to beat, even under pressure.
Recent form
Liverpool’s recent performance
Liverpool’s form has been a story of peaks and valleys. They produced a resounding 4–1 win over Newcastle United in their last league match, which helped stabilize their position and provided much-needed momentum going into this big game.
That performance showcased Liverpool’s attacking potential — especially through players like Hugo Ekitiké, whose scoring rate has been one of the best by a debutant in the club’s recent history (a goal or assist every 112 minutes). This kind of efficiency is a massive boost for a Liverpool side that has struggled with consistency and injuries.
But troubles have lingered, especially in defense. Liverpool have been forced to manage a long list of absentees, including key defenders like Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni, forcing Slot into constant improvisation at the back.
Manchester City’s recent results
City’s form has also been somewhat patchy but remains strong enough to keep them in the title conversation. The Citizens arrive at Anfield having shown resilience in some key fixtures, including in cups, and have still been able to string together a solid run of results overall.
That said, statistics from 2026 show intriguing trends: City have not conceded a first-half goal this year, yet they have not scored a second-half goal across all competitions — a bizarre quirk that Guardiola will want to address before this massive clash.
Their league results reveal that while they remain difficult to beat, there have been defensive vulnerabilities and moments where control has slipped away — especially compared to their usual dominance in possession and tactical discipline.
Historical context and head-to-head trends
This fixture carries historic weight and has frequently delivered drama over the past decade. According to Opta statistics, Liverpool have lost just one of their last 22 Premier League home matches against Manchester City — underlining Anfield’s reputation as a hostile venue for visiting sides.
Despite that dominance, City will remember their 3–0 win over Liverpool earlier this season at the Etihad, a result that showed they can assert themselves convincingly when everything clicks.
Interestingly, Opta’s predictive models list Liverpool as slight favorites, with about a 43% chance of winning, while City’s likelihood of victory sits around 30% — and draws at around 27%. That reflects Liverpool’s historical edge at Anfield and the unpredictable nature of this matchup.
Team news and probable lineups
Liverpool : strengths & selection questions
In attack, Hugo Ekitiké has been one of Liverpool’s standout players, contributing crucial goals and becoming the youngest Reds striker to reach double figures in a league season since Michael Owen.
Florian Wirtz has also grown into his role, contributing goals and chances from midfield, forming an exciting partnership with Ekitiké.
However, at the back, Liverpool are thin: long-term absentees include Isak, Frimpong, Bradley and Leoni, and Joe Gomez may only be a doubtful presence rather than a guaranteed starter.
A typical predicted Liverpool XI might look like:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
GK: Alisson
Defenders: Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez
Midfield: Gravenberch, Mac Allister
Attack: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo
Striker: Ekitiké
(Subs likely include Robertson, Gomez, Endo)
Manchester City : balanced but depleted
City also have a few absences and lingering doubts — Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho are confirmed out, with Bernardo Silva a major fitness question going into Sunday.
Their lineup will still feature elite attackers and midfielders when available, and Erling Haaland — though rested in recent matches — is expected to lead the line.
City’s probable lineup:
Manchester City (4-1-4-1):
GK: Donnarumma
Defense: Nunes, Guehi, Khusanov, O’Reilly
Midfield: Rodri, O’Reilly (or Bernardo Silva if fit), Reijnders, Foden, Cherki
Striker: Haaland
(Subs could include Ait-Nouri, Marmoush, Silva)
Tactical breakdown: what to expect
Liverpool’s approach
Liverpool under Slot often play with intensity and prefer quick transitions, relying on a blend of direct pace in attack and possession retention through midfield creativity.
Ekitiké and Wirtz have given Liverpool a more unpredictable edge in the final third — both capable of unlocking defenses in different ways. Mohamed Salah — still a key figure — brings experience and clinical finishing that can make the difference in tight contests.
Defensively, Liverpool must cope without a full complement of usual starters, which means strong performances from senior figures like Virgil van Dijk and tactical discipline from Slot will be essential.
Manchester City’s game plan
City will look to dominate possession, as is typical of Guardiola teams, and use fluid midfield rotations to create spaces for chances. Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki could be key in unlocking open play with creative passing and movement, while Rodri remains the stabilizing force in the pivot position.
Haaland, even if frustrated by Anfield’s challenging atmosphere (he has historically not scored at the ground), remains the focal point of City’s attack — a constant threat capable of turning any half-chance into a goal.
Final thoughts and outlook
This clash may not single-handedly decide the title, but it could prove pivotal — especially with Arsenal pacing ahead and other contenders lurking. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to build belief and momentum; for Manchester City, it’s an opportunity to affirm their status as title favorites and keep pressure on every chasing club.
Anfield’s unique atmosphere — where Liverpool have historically excelled against City — combined with the tactical chess match between Slot and Guardiola ensures this game will deliver intensity, drama, and strategic intrigue from whistle to whistle.
Whether it be through tactical nuance, individual brilliance, or sheer determination, Sunday’s showdown promises to be a defining chapter in both teams’ seasons.