Liverpool v Manchester City: three key predictions for Premier League showdown

Manchester City return to Premier League action on Sunday at 17:30, visiting a fired-up Liverpool at Anfield just days after an independent commission found the club guilty of almost all 115 charges brought by the Premier League more than three and a half years ago.

Enzo Maresca’s side are the only team to have won all five of their league matches in 2026-27. That perfect record, however, has been overshadowed by the commission’s ruling, which included allegations of “fake” contracts designed to conceal the club’s true finances and an alleged failure to co-operate with official investigations.

Manchester City strongly deny any wrongdoing and have appealed. Jose Mourinho joked that he might be 80 by the time the case is finally resolved, but the appeal process must be completed within 12 weeks.

City have continued to perform impressively on the pitch since losing the Community Shield to Arsenal. They have won their opening five Premier League fixtures by an aggregate score of 13-5, while also making winning starts in the Champions League and League Cup.

Their latest match was a 5-3 victory over Sunderland before the international break. Brian Brobbey scored a hat-trick for Sunderland at Etihad Stadium, but City held on in a game which could be followed by Anfield’s most intense atmosphere in recent years.

Liverpool finished runners-up in the 2013-14 Premier League season, during the period in which City are alleged to have broken rules between 2009 and 2018. The home side’s supporters are expected to be strongly hostile, while rival fans around the country are likely to back every team facing Manchester City in the coming months.

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league, with two wins and three draws. A 1-0 win at Bournemouth, who struggled in front of goal, lifted them to sixth. They have also won four of their past five matches in all competitions, scoring eight times and conceding once.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool lost all three meetings with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2025-26. This is the first meeting between the clubs since 2015 without Jurgen Klopp or Guardiola giving instructions from the touchline.

Liverpool’s league form is N, N, W, N, W, while their overall record is N, W, W, N, W, W. City’s corresponding records are W, W, W, W, W in the league and W, W, W, W, W, W in all competitions.

Erling Haaland caused concern when he appeared to limp off while playing for Norway against Portugal, but Maresca confirmed there are no serious doubts over the striker’s fitness. Nico O’Reilly has a contusion and Antoine Semenyo has an ankle problem, although neither injury is considered serious. Phil Foden is completing a three-match league suspension.

Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak, who left the Sweden squad because of a thigh problem, and Cody Gakpo, who has an ankle injury. Hugo Ekitike is also unavailable for at least several weeks with an Achilles tendon problem. Bradley Barcola could therefore lead the attack.

Jeremy Jacquet has been declared fit after a thigh injury, while Federico Chiesa has returned to training following a back problem. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain out with knee injuries.

The proposed Liverpool line-up is Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Munoz; Barcola.

Manchester City could select Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.

Three suggested predictions are: Manchester City not to lose and both teams to score at 2.02; Erling Haaland to score at 2.00; and Alexander Isak to score or assist at 2.10.

Despite Liverpool’s lack of recognised forwards, the Anfield atmosphere could help them score more than once. City’s response may nevertheless be strong enough to earn a point.