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Man City to run the gauntlet at Anfield as Liverpool aim to inflict Maresca's first defeat

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in action against Man City's Erling Haaland
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in action against Man City's Erling HaalandShutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

What a game in prospect at Anfield on Sunday, as Liverpool host Man City in what has become a Premier League classic - though this one will have even more of an edge than usual.

The visitors not only arrive as the only team with a 100% record and are sitting pretty at the top of the table, but this will be the first away game since they were formally charged with breaching the Premier League's financial rules, and that's likely to make for a red-hot atmosphere throughout.

Goals guaranteed

Goals are virtually guaranteed, as since the goalless draw between the sides in 2018, this fixture has averaged 3.1 goals per game.

The two top scorers in the league this season are Erling Haaland (five) and Alexander Isak (four), but the latter will be absent, after having to leave the Swedish camp with an injury concern.

Liverpool vs Man City - Recent head-to-head results
Liverpool vs Man City - Recent head-to-head resultsFlashscore

With the most total shots for Liverpool (15) and the most on target (seven), Isak's withdrawal could be keenly felt. 

Haaland scored in both matches against Liverpool last season, has already taken the most total shots for City this term (20), along with having the most on target (10).

No Klopp or Pep

Strike partner Antoine Semenyo, who is also a doubt for this one, has scored all of his goals against the Reds at Anfield.

For the hosts, Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to be key, given that he has three goal involvements in his last three games against Sunday's opponents, and his battling qualities are never in doubt.

It's the first time since 2015 that neither Jurgen Klopp nor Pep Guardiola are in the dugouts.

Andoni Iraola is looking to become just the third Liverpool manager after Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan to go undefeated in his opening six league games at the club, whilst Enzo Maresca is bidding to become only the fourth Premier League manager in history to win all of his opening six matches.

City are unbeaten in 10 away games

There won't be a better time for the hosts to get a win either, not only to stop the City juggernaut, but given that their last four home matches have all ended in a draw.

March 1993 (five), February 2003 (seven) and March 2021 (eight) are the only other occasions when the Reds have gone five home games or more without a win.

Liverpool vs Man City - Current Premier League standings
Liverpool vs Man City - Current Premier League standingsFlashscore

City are unbeaten in 10 away matches against all opponents, and will be encouraged that it's the away side in this fixture that has won two of the last three meetings, which is as many as in the previous 32 games between the teams. 

They left Anfield last season with a 2-1 win - the first time they'd done the double over Liverpool since 1937 - and you have to go back to 2002/03 to find the last time that there were two consecutive away wins for one or the other in this fixture.

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Three clean sheets for Alisson in five matches

It is worth pointing out, however, that the Cityzens have only won three of 29 away games at Anfield since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.

Oddly enough, Liverpool's total of 76 shots, from which they've scored seven goals so far, is more shots than City have managed, but Maresca's side have scored 13, suggesting that the current league leaders are much more economical in front of goal than their next opponents. 

However, with Alisson having kept three clean sheets from the five games played so far in 2026/27, Liverpool could be a tough nut to crack.

Indeed, they've only let in a single goal in the opening 15 minutes of games this season, and none in the final quarter hour, so if City want to emerge victorious, it would appear that they'll need to do the damage during the middle portion of the match.

Hosts have mini-injury crisis

Ahead of the game, the visitors are ranked top for shot conversion rate (27%), total passes made (3,143), and pass completion (89%), putting into perspective just how difficult a task the hosts have in inflicting City's first defeat of the season.

Alongside Isak, Cody Gakpo will also miss out, although Jeremy Jacquet is expected to be fit to start.

Liverpool vs Man City - Win probability
Liverpool vs Man City - Win probabilityFlashscore

The Dutchman is a big miss, given that his three assists are the most of any Liverpool player this season, whilst 11 chances created are the joint most alongside Szoboszlai.

Federico Chiesa, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike are all definitely out for the hosts.

City could also be without Nico O'Reilly, who'll face a late fitness test, whilst Phil Foden is suspended after his red card in the Manchester derby.

Jason Pettigrove has been the features writer for Flashscore since 2025, utilising Opta data to form the basis of his articles. He has previously worked for high-profile football clubs, news and media outlets, both in print and digital, and can usually be found watching FC Barcelona when time permits. You can read more of his pieces here.

Jason Pettigrove
Jason PettigroveFlashscore
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