Liverpool will be up against Manchester City in a high-stakes Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday, February 8.
This fixture, once a straight title showdown, now carries different pressures for both sides. Liverpool, the defending champions, sit sixth and are fighting to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Manchester City occupy second place but trail leaders Arsenal by nine points after 24 games, meaning a defeat would severely damage their already slim title hopes. Both teams arrive with recent momentum yet lingering inconsistencies, promising an open, entertaining contest under the Anfield lights.
Arne Slot's side come into the match buoyed by a commanding 4-1 victory over Newcastle United and a dominant 6-0 Champions
League win against Qarabag.
The Reds have rediscovered their attacking rhythm, with new signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike combining effectively alongside Mohamed Salah. However, defensive concerns persist.
Liverpool vs Man City Team News
Liverpool will be without several key defenders, including Jeremie Frimpong and long-term absentees Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni. Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to continue filling in at right-back, while Joe Gomez may return to the bench. Ibrahima Konate's recent return adds stability alongside Virgil van Dijk, but the backline remains stretched.
For Manchester City, the visit to Anfield is a must-win to keep pace with Arsenal. Pep Guardiola's team showed resilience with wins over Newcastle and Wolves but dropped points in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham, where they squandered a two-goal lead.
Injuries have disrupted Guardiola's plans: Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić, Jeremy Doku and Savinho are sidelined, while Bernardo Silva is a doubt. Rúben Dias is back but may lack full sharpness. Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal, with a makeshift defence likely featuring Manuel Nunes, Marc Guehi and Nathan Ake. Rodri anchors midfield, with Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and new faces like Tijjani Reijnders providing creativity. Erling Haaland leads the line, though questions remain about his current form.
Liverpool vs Man City Prediction
Anfield's atmosphere has often lifted the Reds against City, and their current attacking confidence gives them the edge. Wirtz and Ekitike are in excellent form, likely to create overloads on a patched-up City backline. While Haaland could punish any lapses, Liverpool's home record and recent scoring surge point to a narrow victory.
A draw remains very possible in what should be a goal-filled afternoon, but the hosts' momentum and familiarity with big occasions make them favourites to claim three vital points. This result would boost Liverpool's top-four push while leaving City facing an uphill battle in the title race. Expect intensity, quality and late drama.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Man City
