Liverpool vs Manchester City

Liverpool host Premier League leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday 11 October 2026, entering the fixture without leading scorer Alexander Isak and four other injured first-team players.

Five confirmed absences deplete the Liverpool squad

Liverpool sit seventh in the Premier League table with nine points from five games, having scored seven goals and conceded four. Their attack faces major disruption: Alexander Isak, who leads the club with four goals in all competitions, is ruled out with an injury. Cody Gakpo, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Hugo Ekitiké are also sidelined, while Federico Chiesa remains doubtful.

At Anfield in league play, Liverpool have drawn both fixtures this season, scoring two and conceding two, including a 0-0 draw with Fulham on 12 September 2026. Across their last five matches in all competitions, however, they have earned four wins and a draw, most recently defeating Bournemouth 1-0 away on 20 September 2026. Over those five games, Liverpool have generated 1.32 expected goals per match while restricting opponents to 1.07.

Manchester City arrive with five consecutive wins

Manchester City hold first place in the table with 15 points from five matches, having scored 13 goals and conceded five. In league away matches, they have won both outings, scoring five and conceding once, including a 1-0 win at Manchester United on 13 September 2026.

Erling Haaland leads Manchester City with seven goals in all competitions. Over their last five fixtures, they have averaged 1.91 expected goals created and 1.38 allowed per game. Their recent run includes a 5-3 league victory against Sunderland on 20 September 2026 and a 5-0 League Cup win over Norwich on 17 September 2026. For this trip to Anfield, Phil Foden is suspended, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly are doubtful through injury.

Recent head-to-head records tilt towards Manchester City

Manchester City won both meetings between the clubs during the 2025-26 season. They secured a 3-0 victory on 9 November 2025, followed by a 2-1 away win on 8 February 2026. Prior to those results, Liverpool took consecutive 2-0 victories over Manchester City on 1 December 2024 and 23 February 2025.

Our model leans narrowly towards a Manchester City win

Our forecasting model leans narrowly towards a Manchester City win. Manchester City's return of 15 points from five league matches and their attacking output of 1.91 expected goals per game support that position, particularly with Liverpool missing five injured players. Liverpool's defensive record complicates the forecast, having conceded just two goals across their last five matches in all competitions.