Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield this weekend in what promises to be one of the Premier League’s most significant fixtures of the season. The Reds have been inconsistent in the league and sit eight points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, making this clash crucial if Liverpool are to start closing the gap and edge closer to a Champions League qualifying position. Slot’s men arrive off the back of vital attacking performances in recent matches, but sharpness in the final third remains a key talking point ahead of Sunday’s showdown. Manchester City come to Merseyside having just secured a place in the Carabao Cup final, but injuries and squad rotation have again tested Guardiola’s strength in depth. With both sides fighting for momentum this late in the season, this meeting could have considerable implications on the top-four race.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Team News and Confirmed Lineups
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool continue to manage a sizeable injury list, with several squad members still sidelined or working their way back to full fitness. Conor Bradley remains sidelined for the season after knee surgery, while Jeremie Frimpong is unavailable with a muscle injury. Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns are still out, and Giovanni Leoni is continuing his recovery from an ACL injury. Alexander Isak remains a long-term absentee following ankle surgery. Joe Gomez has missed the last two matches since being forced off against Bournemouth, though Slot has suggested there is some hope he could return to training, making him a possible option from the bench.
In his latest press conference, Slot spoke openly about the challenge that Manchester City present and what this match means in terms of Liverpool’s development, acknowledging the importance of a result but also reflecting on areas where his side have struggled this season; in particular, how they perform over the full 90 minutes and convert dominance into goals.
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Speaking at the AXA Training Centre, Slot stressed that while Liverpool have shown they can compete with elite teams, consistency remains a work in progress and this game provides another moment to measure that growth ahead of the season’s run in.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City will be without a few key figures as they prepare for their trip to Anfield. Guardiola provided the latest fitness update in his press conference, revealing that captain Bernardo Silva is an “incredible doubt” to feature after missing the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final, and his availability will be assessed in the remaining training sessions before kick-off. Jeremy Doku also remains out, and while City saw Ruben Dias back in the squad recently and John Stones return to training, Guardiola is yet to confirm lineups.
The Spaniard has emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity as his side continue to navigate a congested schedule, insisting City’s depth will be key but that selections will be made based on fitness and training performances ahead of the clash. Ahead of the match Pep stated that Anfield was one of the toughest stadiums to visit “Yep. Always a tough opponent and a difficult place and stadium, especially with the quality of the players and the managers. Yes, it’s been tough.”
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Liverpool Confirmed Lineup
Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk (c), Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngummoha
Manchester City Confirmed Lineup
Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Bernardo Silva (c) , O’Reilly, Semenyo, Marmoush, Haaland.
Subs: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Aké, Cherki, Nico, Foden, Allegue, Lewis
