Manchester City faces a quick turnaround after their early Champions League exit, as they now prepare for a challenging domestic match against Premier League leaders, Liverpool, on Sunday.
City was eliminated from the Champions League after a crushing defeat to Real Madrid in the playoffs, a tough blow for manager Pep Guardiola and the team. After narrowly qualifying for the knockout stages, their hopes of progressing in Europe were dashed.
Now, Manchester City’s focus shifts to securing a spot in the next season’s Champions League, where they are currently in fourth place in the league. With five potential UCL spots up for grabs, the competition will be fierce.
Liverpool, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back after a midweek draw with Aston Villa, which allowed them to maintain an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League. However, they’ve played one more match than their rivals, which has diminished their earlier sense of invincibility.
As the match approaches, here’s the latest team news and injury updates for both teams.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool: Lineups, Predicted Starting 11, and Team News
Manchester City:
City suffered another injury setback in their midweek loss to Real Madrid, with John Stones forced off in the first half due to a new injury, despite dealing with a foot problem for much of the year. Stones is unlikely to be available for this weekend’s match.
Manuel Akanji, Oscar Bobb, and Rodri are also sidelined, with Bobb’s recovery delayed due to a new ankle injury. Erling Haaland, who missed the Real Madrid game due to a knee issue, is considered a doubt for Sunday’s clash.
Predicted Manchester City lineup (4-3-3):
Ederson (GK) — Khusanov, Ake, Dias, Gvardiol — Nico, Gundogan, Silva — Foden, Marmoush, Savinho
Injuries:
Haaland (knee, doubtful), Stones (muscle), Akanji (calf), Rodri (ACL), Bobb (leg/ankle)
Liverpool:
Liverpool’s Conor Bradley sustained an injury late in the Aston Villa match and is expected to miss the City game. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota are still not fit for a full 90 minutes, which may impact the lineup. Cody Gakpo’s availability is uncertain, depending on whether he can return to training in time. Joe Gomez remains sidelined after undergoing hamstring surgery.
Predicted Liverpool lineup (4-3-3):
Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister — Salah, Jota, Diaz
Injuries:
Gakpo (knock, doubtful), Bradley (muscle), Gomez (hamstring)
Where to Watch:
Live Stream and TV Channels:
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Canada
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Go, Now TV
- Australia: Optus Sport
- India: Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema
