Two heavyweights meet on Sunday night at Anfield as a contest of one of the most classic rivalries in the Premier League with Liverpool and Manchester City both in need of improving their positions in the title race and the battle of the top five.
When this would be a common occurrence to determine championships, this time it is different. Manchester city come in pursuit of Arsenal, and Liverpool is struggling with a crumbling title defence with new manager Arne Slot. However, history proposes that drama is bound to happen whenever the two come together.
Match Details
- Fixture: Liverpool vs Manchester City
- Competition: Premier League 2025/26 (Matchday 25)
- Date: Sunday, 8 February 2026
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
- Kick-off: 10:00 PM IST
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- VAR: In use
Premier League Context
Liverpool
The season of Liverpool has been turbulent. The Reds are also behind in the top five with 39 points despite having invested heavily over the summer with 24 matches (11 wins, 6 draws, 7 defeats), so they have to provide some form of consistency.
Earlier rumours of instability on the part of Arne Slot had been heard during the campaign, but the single-handed 4 goals to 1 defeat of Newcastle United at the weekend had provided a new source of confidence. That was the first league victory of Liverpool in 2026 following a losing streak of five matches.
Positively, Liverpool are still among the most competitive come back sides in the league. Within the last season, the Reds have gained 28 Premier League points since the start of the previous season having been trailing in goal, having only three teams gaining more than this.
Manchester City
City are in the second position with 47 points (14 wins, 5 draws, 5 defeats), which is six points behind the leaders of the league Arsenal. Guardiola losses and lost leads have been the bane of his men, most recently, in a 2-2 game at Tottenham, where they lost a two-goal lead.
City are already having lost three of their previous six league games and their road record is alarming, they have not won any of their past three road games and have at least one goal in the games they have lost.
However, the tide shifted towards the middle of the week, with City beating Newcastle 31 in the EFL Cup semi-final, which will be met by a final at Wembley against Arsenal.
Recent Form
Liverpool (all competitions):
W – W – L – W – D
Manchester City (all competitions):
W – D – W – W – L
Tactical Talking Points.
Already in the past four games, Liverpool have netted 15 goals, finding their way back to attacking flair.
City is the only winner of the Premier League in 2026 that has not conceded a first half goal, however it is also the only team that has not scored in the second half this year.
Liverpool have only lost one of the 22 home games against City in the premier league.
City have already won the match in reverse over Liverpool by 3 goals to 0 in November and they are seeking their first-ever Premier League double of their lives.
Team News & Injuries
Liverpool
In: Erick Kamuaro, Karamoko Bamba, Thanawatra Rama, Elderly.
Doubtful: Joe Gomez
Florian Wirtz has remained impressive, with nine goal assists in his recent 11 games; the highest among players in the premier league in their recent 11 games.
Manchester City
In: Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Savinho.
Uncertain: Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva.
The current position of Erling Haaland is still unchanged; although Guardiola has called him the best striker in the world before the game.
Players to Watch
Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool.
One of the leaders who have shown himself in the inconsistency of Liverpool, Szoboszlai has already impressed even when filling several positions because of injuries. 2025/26 statistics: 7 goals, 6 assists in 31 games.
Rayan Cherki – Manchester City.
Cherki has so far become a creative center during his first season in the city where he is compared to Kevin De Bruyne in terms of goals and assists in 29 games. 2025/26 statistics: 9 goals, 8 assists in 29 games.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total meetings: 229
- Liverpool wins: 110
- Man City wins: 61
- Draws: 58
The most common scoreline? 1–1 (10 times).
Key Stats
- Probability of Opta wins: Liverpool 43 per cent. | Man City 30.3 per cent. | Draw 26.7 per cent.
- Erling Haaland is yet to score in the premier league at Anfield.
- Liverpool have only once been beaten by City at home in 22 leagues.
- Hugo Ekitiké has a goal contribution of 112 minutes per season, the highest goal contribution of a player in his debut season in Liverpool since Mohamed Salah (2017/18).
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitiké
Manager: Arne Slot
Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
Donnarumma; Nunes, Guéhi, Aké, Aït-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Reijnders, Semenyo; Haaland
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Betting Tips
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Both teams to score
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Over 2.5 goals
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Draw (high-value option)
Prediction
Liverpool 3–2 Manchester City
