Liverpool’s waterfront autumn gives way to a major Premier League afternoon at Anfield on Sunday, where the unbeaten hosts meet a Manchester City side arriving as leaders and carrying both momentum on the pitch and uncertainty away from it.
City travel to Merseyside with 15 points from a perfect five-match opening, while Liverpool are seventh on nine points after two victories and three draws. The match begins at 12:30 Brasília time on 11 October 2026.
Two unbeaten starts, different pressures
- Manchester City opened their league campaign with five consecutive wins, scoring 13 times in the process.
- Enzo Maresca’s team then beat Sunderland 5-3 in their most recent Premier League outing, extending their winning streak in all competitions to seven matches.
- Liverpool won 1-0 away to Bournemouth in the previous round and are still without a league defeat, but need a victory to narrow the gap to the summit.
- The Anfield side also have recent history to overturn: City have won the last three meetings, including a 4-0 FA Cup victory in April.
The visitors’ strong start has unfolded alongside a difficult off-field situation. Manchester City have received an unfavourable ruling in the case concerning alleged financial irregularities. The club’s board has challenged that outcome and lodged an appeal.
Absences shape the selections
Erling Haaland is available for City after suffering discomfort during the international break. Phil Foden is suspended, while Nico O’Reilly and Antoine Semenyo remain uncertain for the trip to Liverpool.
Liverpool’s attacking options are more heavily depleted. Alexander Isak has a thigh injury, and Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike are also unavailable. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain out. Federico Chiesa has returned to training, although his fitness is still being assessed.
Expected teams at Anfield
Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola is expected to select Alisson in goal, behind Ronald Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Kerkez. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai could form the midfield base, with Víctor Muñoz, Florian Wirtz and Ngumoha supporting Barcola.
City may line up with Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi and Joško Gvardiol; Enzo Fernández and Elliot Anderson; with Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Jérémy Doku or Semenyo behind Haaland.
For Maresca’s leaders, Anfield offers the chance to preserve a flawless opening. For Iraola’s Liverpool, it is an opportunity to turn an unbeaten but uneven start into a statement against the division’s early pace-setters.
