Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday in their first meeting since an independent commission found City guilty of almost all 115 Premier League charges. City deny wrongdoing and have appealed the verdict.
Manchester City, managed by Enzo Maresca, are the only team with a 100% Premier League record after five games this season. They have won every match, scoring 13 goals and conceding five, while also making impressive starts in the Champions League and EFL Cup.
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool remain unbeaten, recording two wins and three draws to sit sixth in the table. Their recent 1-0 victory over Bournemouth extended an impressive run, with the Reds scoring eight goals and conceding just once across their last five matches in all competitions.
The charges against City cover the period from 2009 to 2018 and include allegations of disguising financial figures through sham contracts and failing to fully cooperate with investigations. The club has appealed, with the process expected to conclude within 12 weeks.
Liverpool finished second in the 2013-14 season, which falls within the period under investigation. Sunday’s encounter is expected to produce one of Anfield’s most hostile atmospheres against City in recent years.
The match also marks the first Liverpool-Manchester City meeting since 2015 without either Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola in the dugout. Liverpool lost all three encounters with Guardiola’s City last season under former manager Arne Slot.
Team News
Manchester City have no major concerns over Erling Haaland despite his apparent discomfort while playing for Norway. Nico O’Reilly and Antoine Semenyo are also not expected to have serious injury problems.
Phil Foden will return after serving a three-match domestic suspension.
Liverpool, however, have suffered setbacks, with Alexander Isak sidelined by a thigh injury and Cody Gakpo unavailable due to an ankle problem. Hugo Ekitike remains out with an Achilles injury and is expected to miss several more weeks.
With attacking options limited, Iraola could turn to Bradley Barcola to lead Liverpool’s attack against City.
Possible Starting Lineups
Liverpool: Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Muñoz; Barcola.
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Fernández, Anderson; Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.