Liverpool vs Manchester City preview: team news, lineups, TV, kick-off time, referee & VAR
By
Daryl Finch
Daryl Finch
After Saturday's dramatic 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Liverpool go into the top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City this Sunday hoping to remain top of the pile by the end of the weekend's action.
The fixture comes at a bad time for Jurgen Klopp's side, just three days after their Europa League last 16 first-leg tie against Sparta Prague and with a mounting injury crisis.
Pep Guardiola's men, who play in the Champions League against Copenhagen on Wednesday, will have an extra day of preparation and come into the game just a point behind the Reds after their 3-1 win over rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
In a game that could have massive ramifications for where the Premier League trophy will be heading this May, an electric atmosphere at Anfield is guaranteed.
But will it live up to the hype? Here's our Liverpool-Manchester City preview.
DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE & VAR
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Date: Sunday 10 March 2024
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Kick-off time: 15:45 GMT / 10:45 ET / 07:45 PT
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Stadium: Anfield
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Referee: Michael Oliver
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Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook
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Fourth official: David Coote
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VAR: Stuart Attwell
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Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Liverpool against Manchester City is one of the most-played fixtures in English football.
The two sides have faced off on 139 occasions, with Liverpool historically having the upper hand, winning 48.2 % of the fixtures (67). The Citizens have won 33 times, and the sides have drawn 39 times.
The Reds boast the superior record in the Premier League era, too, with the Reds winning 21 of their 53 clashes, compared to City's 12 (20 draws).
Liverpool's recent record against City isn't the best. The last time the Reds beat them was at Anfield in October 2022, when Mohamed Salah sealed a 1-0 victory.
That said, City have only won twice at Anfield in Premier League history. The most recent was a 4-1 win in February 2021.
Last time out, in November 2023, Trent Alexander-Arnold managed to salvage a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
WHERE TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS MANCHESTER CITY ON TV
This game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
FUBO broadcasts all Premier League games in Canada, while you can catch them all on various NBC networks in the USA.
For those in Europe, DAZN and Viaplay are among the TV companies with the rights to the game.
Match commentary, highlights and full match replay will be available after the game across the world on LFCTV.
You can check out TV details for all remaining Liverpool fixtures this season with our one-stop guide.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Liverpool's injury crisis continues, but there has been some good news in recent weeks.
Both Darwin Nunez, who scored the winning goal against Forest, and Dominik Szoboszlai made returns off the bench on Saturday. Both could start against City on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah, too, is on the comeback trail from muscle fatigue and could be set for a place on the bench.
Likewise, Ryan Gravenberch, who was diagnosed with a ligament issue following Moises Caicedo's bad challenge during the Carabao Cup final, could return to play some part against City with his injury not as serious as first feared.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and Thiago will all miss the game as they step up their rehabilitation.
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has practically a full squad to choose from.
Only Jack Grealish will miss the potential title decider after being ruled out with a groin injury.
PREDICTED LIVERPOOL LINEUP
With so few options available to him, Jurgen Klopp is really at the mercy of injuries and the most senior 11 players available to him will most likely start.
The back line and goalkeeper pick themselves, with the only doubt being over Joe Gomez's involvement. He could start at right-back if Klopp opts for experience over youth (Conor Bradley).
In midfield, things could be interesting. Wataru Endo is certain to start; as is Alexis Mac Allister. And while Dominik Szoboszlai is fit again, he didn't have the best of times at Forest so Harvey Elliott could start in his place, while Bobby Clark is also an option.
However, Elliott might be needed in the front line once again, unless Cody Gakpo starts on the right-hand side with Darwin Nunez coming in down the middle.
(4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Elliott, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz
PREDICTION
Klopp versus Guardiola is a showdown that always produces goals.
That said, with only three points separating first and third place, the margins are so tight that a draw this weekend wouldn't necessarily be the worst result for either side.
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
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