Liverpool Seek Home Comforts Against Perfect Manchester City at Anfield

Liverpool vs Manchester City - 10/11/2026

09/21/2026 208

As Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, 2026, the Premier League’s sharpest early-season attack meets a side still unbeaten in the league under Andoni Iraola. City’s perfect start and Liverpool’s home resilience point to a tense tactical battle where every margin could be decisive.

Key Points

• Manchester City have opened the Premier League season with five wins from five, scoring 14 goals in that run.
• Liverpool remain unbeaten in league action, with Alexander Isak already decisive in wins over Ipswich and Bournemouth.
• City have won the last three meetings in all competitions, including a 2-1 league victory at Anfield in February 2026.
• Liverpool’s recent absentees have included Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni.
• The locked prediction is over 2.5 goals, both teams to score and a 1-2 Manchester City win, with City given a 50% chance.

Recent History

Both sides enter this fixture in strong form but with contrasting recent histories when facing each other at Anfield. Liverpool’s home record in this rivalry remains a source of belief, although City’s 2-1 win there in February 2026 was followed by a 4-0 FA Cup victory later that season. Manchester City have had the upper hand in the last three overall meetings, adding extra weight to the visitors’ current momentum.

Looking deeper into Liverpool’s record, the trend is clear: they have avoided defeat regularly across competitions and have remained hard to beat at Anfield. Their defensive unit, led by Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, has provided a stable base, while the arrival of Alexander Isak has added a clinical focal point to Iraola’s attack.

Recent Form

In league action this season, Liverpool began with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, then drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest before Isak’s early double secured a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town. They were held 0-0 by Fulham at Anfield, but returned to winning ways at Bournemouth, where Isak scored the only goal in a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Their possession and shot volume have remained healthy, even if some of the final-third rhythm is still developing.

Manchester City’s numbers are formidable. Enzo Maresca’s side have started the league campaign flawlessly, beating Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Coventry City, Manchester United and Sunderland, while also winning away at Porto and heavily rotating for a 5-0 Carabao Cup victory over Norwich. City’s 5-3 win over Sunderland took them to five league wins from five, with Antoine Semenyo scoring twice and Erling Haaland completing the set of Premier League opponents he has scored against.

City’s offensive output stands out. They have combined control with pace, power and depth, with Rayan Cherki providing creativity, Semenyo bringing direct running and Haaland remaining the central reference point. Defensively, Rúben Dias and Marc Guéhi have formed the preferred centre-back pairing, protected by Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.

Team News and Probable Lineups

Liverpool’s latest league XI at Bournemouth offered the clearest guide to Iraola’s preferred structure. Alisson remains first choice in goal, with Ronald Araujo used on the right, Jérémy Jacquet and Van Dijk in central defence, and Milos Kerkez at left-back. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai should provide the midfield platform, with Florian Wirtz operating centrally behind Isak. Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola are strong candidates to start wide after recent involvement, while Victor Muñoz, Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong provide alternatives.

Liverpool had no fresh fitness concerns before the Bournemouth win, although Bradley, Chiesa, Ekitike and Leoni had been the ongoing absences. Barcola has now started recent league matches after his summer arrival, while Gakpo’s return to the XI at Bournemouth strengthens Iraola’s attacking options.

Liverpool probable starting 11: Alisson; Ronald Araujo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola; Alexander Isak.

Manchester City’s strongest recent league team has been highly consistent. Donnarumma should continue in goal, with Matheus Nunes, Dias, Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol forming the back four. Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández are expected to anchor midfield, while Cherki links the attack. Phil Foden’s domestic suspension was being served before the international break and should be completed before the trip to Anfield, putting him back into contention to join Semenyo and Haaland in the front line. Iliman Ndiaye is the main alternative if Maresca keeps faith with the Sunderland XI.

Jérémy Doku returned to the bench against Sunderland after his injury layoff, but his minutes are likely to be managed. Semenyo’s two-goal display against Sunderland makes him difficult to leave out, especially in a game where City will want speed in transition.

Manchester City probable starting 11: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi, Josko Gvardiol; Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández; Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland.

Prediction

With over 2.5 goals predicted, the expectation is for both teams to find the net, but Manchester City’s ruthless edge and consistency give them the edge. The locked prediction points to a 1-2 victory for City, with the visitors given a 50% chance of coming out on top based on current form and head-to-head momentum.

Liverpool’s resilience at Anfield should ensure a fiercely contested encounter, but breaking City’s winning run will be an immense challenge.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

EPL

Liverpool Manchester City 11/10/2026 17:30

163450

21-2

1 - 2

2.71

54°F

-

- - -

PREVIEW