Man City vs Liverpool
Premier League (11) | Etihad Stadium
November 9, 2025 | 4:30 PM (GMT)
It never ceases to amaze what two positive results can do for the mood, and it’s down to Arne Slot returning to his winning formula, which we hope continues at the Etihad.
The international break immediately follows this match, and signing off with three straight wins would be quite a change from the way we went into the October break…
1. Alexander Isak is ready to return
Isak has missed the last four games due to a groin injury but is expected to be named to the bench on Sunday after returning to team training on Friday.
“Today (Friday) he is training with the team for the first time, after three weeks of absence,” Slot told reporters.
Slot emphasized the need for patience and managing expectations when it comes to the striker after another spell away from the team. Rightly so, as he will not be fully match fit.
He is the only player returning for this match, although there was good news about Alisson. The Brazilian is expected to be available for the first match back against Nottingham Forest.
Jeremy Frimpong, meanwhile, has to stay in the treatment room longer.
2. Are there any injuries at Man City?
Man City will be without Mateo Kovacic against the Reds as an ankle injury will rule him out for most of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s only other concern concerns Rodri, who was left out as a precaution during the midweek win over Borussia Dortmund as his fitness problems continued following his cruciate ligament injury.
He hasn’t been ruled out, but the City boss did say he doesn’t think they will “take a risk ahead of the international breakthrough” – or is that his usual mind games?
There are no further injury concerns for the hosts.
Possible city XI: Donnarumma; O’Reilly, Guardiol, Dias, Nunes; González; Doku, Silva, Foden, Cherki; Haaland
3. Liverpool’s predicted line-up
With five days between the win over Real Madrid and the trip to City, it is reasonable that Slot could only make one change.
Unfortunately for Florian Wirtz, despite having his best game, he could be the one left on the bench to accommodate Cody Gakpo’s return.
With Isak fit enough for the bench, Hugo Ekitike will remain in charge in his first game against City.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; nice
4. The Etihad challenge
The Etihad hasn’t exactly been a happy hunting ground, with the exception of last season.
It means another win for Liverpool would be the first time they have won two consecutive league games at City since March 1991.
Not to mention they were able to keep back-to-back clean sheets in the league at the Etihad for the first time since 2007, when the teams played out consecutive goalless draws.
And just to underline how difficult the short journey along the M62 was – sorry! – Since February 2010 (in a run of five), Liverpool have not played three consecutive league games at the Etihad without defeat.
5. Time for another international break
It feels like the October holidays have only just ended, but after this competition we will go straight into the international competitions.
In any case, it is the last until March, with the exception of AFCON, which deprives Liverpool of Mohamed Salah for a few weeks over the Christmas period.
It would be good to at least bring some momentum into the break, unlike last time!
6. A reunion with Pep Lijnders
Pep Lijnders left Liverpool at the same time as Jurgen Klopp, but has since returned to the Premier League as Guardiola’s assistant.
The shock appointment in the summer came in for his fair share of criticism after he worked tirelessly to halt City’s domination under a regime still reeling from more than 115 financial breaches.
It is his first time playing in the opposition dugout against Liverpool and the away match is likely to put him on notice.
7. Arne Slot refers to the status of Andy Robertson
Speaking to the press in the run-up to the match, Slot hinted that Andy Robertson will be the first-choice left-back:
“He started three games in seven days because he also played the game against Crystal Palace.
“I had to take him out at the end of the match [against Real]because I felt he was tired.
“But we have to wait and see. We had recovery the day after, they had a day off yesterday (Thursday) and now have a two-day lead against City. So let’s see where he is today (Friday).”
“He was calm on the ball and did his job defensively, so yes, I am happy with his two, maybe three performances, although Palace, losing 3-0, was not the best game of the season for us.”
8. Give us your prediction!
This match always promises goals, there hasn’t been a goalless draw since October 2018 – so something to keep in mind!
Liverpool have won their last two meetings, home and away, 2-0, with two 1-1 draws ahead of the double in Slot’s first season.
Liverpool’s win at the Etihad last season was their first since April 2018, with City winning four of the next eight.
9. Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Chris Kavanagh is the referee for this match, in what will be the fourth time he has overseen Liverpool this season – he was in charge in the win over Arsenal and the defeat at Crystal Palace.
Dan Cook and Stuart Burt are his assistants at the Etihad, with Sam Barrott as fourth official. As for VAR, Michael Oliver will monitor the match from Stokely Park.
For sure, all boots up to the chest will be spotted this time…
10. How to Track with TIA!
Liverpool’s trip to Man City will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and the Sky Sports Premier League in Britain, with coverage from 4pm (GMT).
With Gary Neville likely to bring out his unusual sound effects, you can instead join Harry McMullen on our live blog from 3.45pm, with live updates through to full-time.
In this one, Reds!
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