Liverpool v Manchester City: Anfield showdown pits leaders against improving Reds

Premier League returns after a three-week international break with a major fixture at Anfield, where Liverpool host unbeaten leaders Manchester City on Sunday, 11 October 2026, at 15:30 GMT. Nasser Eddy, an NCI Sport consultant and presenter of the European Champions League on Nostalgie radio, expects a tightly contested match and has identified a 1-1 draw, priced at 3.82, as the most likely outcome.

Liverpool have recovered from a difficult opening to the 2026-27 season. After drawing 2-2 in each of their first two league matches, the Reds have taken two wins and a draw from their next three outings. Their September form also included a 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico de Madrid and a 3-1 League Cup win against Tottenham.

However, Liverpool are still waiting for their first home league victory this season. They drew against Nottingham Forest and Fulham, and recorded fewer corners than both visitors. That record will be tested by the arrival of Manchester City.

Alexander Isak has scored four league goals and is beginning to find his rhythm after an injury-hit first season. Dominik Szoboszlai has also continued to influence matches, scoring decisive stoppage-time goals in two recent games. Liverpool have had more shots than their opponents in four of their five league fixtures, underlining their attacking approach.

Manchester City have won all five of their league matches, including the derby away to Manchester United, and have made an ideal start to the post-Pep Guardiola era. They have scored 20 goals in seven official matches in all competitions, excluding the Community Shield, with Erling Haaland contributing seven. Their average is almost three goals per game.

City have won the corner count in four of their five league matches, conceded six goals and kept four clean sheets in those seven matches. They have also scored first in their past six games in all competitions. Their new manager Enzo Maresca has therefore overseen a fast start in both attack and defence.

The recent head-to-head record remains competitive. Liverpool have won 17 of the past 45 meetings, compared with 13 victories for Manchester City and 15 draws. City dominated last season, winning all three encounters, including a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory and two league wins. That followed Liverpool’s two league victories in the fixture the previous season.

Iliman Ndiaye is the Manchester City player to watch. Signed from Everton on 1 September, the 26-year-old quickly impressed Maresca and started against Coventry City four days later, before suffering an injury in the 87th minute. He returned to the starting XI before the international break and then scored Senegal’s only goal in a friendly against Comoros at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome on Sunday. The former OM player could start at Anfield.

A 1-1 draw is priced at 7, while Manchester City to score first is available at 1.9 and City to win the corner battle at 1.99. Isak is priced at 2.6 to score at any time, with Haaland at 2. All odds may change.