Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, looking to build on their most convincing performance of the season.
The Reds head into the game buoyed by a dominant victory, while City travel to Merseyside under pressure to keep pace with Arsenal following some inconsistent results.
Liverpool’s ability to thrive in transition and harness the Anfield atmosphere could prove decisive.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side are one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in Europe despite their recent struggles for consistency.
Match preview
Liverpool finally rediscovered their attacking fluency last time out, dismantling Newcastle United 4-1.
The result continued Liverpool’s trend of mounting comebacks when falling behind. The Reds have collected 28 Premier League points after conceding first since the start of last season.
Despite their improved form, Liverpool remain outside the top five and cannot afford further slip-ups if they are to salvage their campaign.
Their recent scoring form offers encouragement, with the Reds netting 15 goals across their last four matches in all competitions.
Man City’s title ambitions have been dented by dropped points in five of their last six league matches.
Their 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur exposed familiar weaknesses, particularly their inability to control games after taking early leads.
Guardiola’s side secured a 3-1 League Cup semi-final victory over Newcastle in midweek, but Anfield has historically proven one of their most difficult assignments.
Match stats
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 22 Premier League home matches against Man City, with that solitary defeat coming behind closed doors in 2021.
City are chasing their first league double over Liverpool since the 1936/37 season after securing a 3-0 victory in November’s reverse fixture.
The Reds have thrived in transitional situations this season, scoring seven Premier League goals from fast breaks, the highest total in the division.
Additionally, one quarter of their high turnovers have resulted in shots, underlining their threat when capitalising on opposition mistakes.
City’s struggles to maintain control late in games remain evident, with only West Ham United dropping more points from winning positions at half-time this season.
Guardiola’s side have also failed to score a second-half league goal in 2026.
Liverpool team news
Arne Slot is expected to stick with the attacking formula that dismantled Newcastle, with Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike set to lead Liverpool’s frontline once again.
Wirtz has been directly involved in nine goals across his last 11 matches, while Ekitike has enjoyed a prolific debut campaign, reaching double figures in the Premier League.
Liverpool are without Jeremie Frimpong. The 25-year-old has improved in recent weeks. Conor Bradley, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are also out through injury.
The ‘sensational‘ Joe Gomez faces a late fitness test but is doubtful.
Liverpool predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Alisson Becker; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Hugo Ekitike.
