The Premier League's two dominant forces in recent years, Manchester City and Liverpool, are set for a blockbuster showdown at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. While Liverpool sit atop the table, City’s title defense is all but over as they trail the Reds by 17 points. However, Pep Guardiola’s men are still fighting for a top-four finish, and a victory here would deal a significant blow to Liverpool’s championship aspirations.
City Seeking Redemption After European Disappointment
Manchester City’s hopes of retaining their Premier League crown have all but faded, and their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid only added to their woes. A 6-3 aggregate defeat saw Kylian Mbappe steal the show with a second-leg hat-trick, leaving Guardiola’s side to focus on domestic competitions for the rest of the season.
Now, their immediate priority is securing Champions League qualification, with a top-four finish their only remaining route to Europe’s elite competition. City’s recent form suggests they are returning to their best, having won their last three home league games while scoring at least three goals in each. Their conversion rate has also improved significantly in 2025, rising from 9.6% in the first half of the season to an impressive 24.7%.
A major talking point ahead of the clash is the fitness of Erling Haaland, who suffered a knee injury against Newcastle. The Norwegian striker missed the defeat in Madrid, and Guardiola has not confirmed whether he will be available for Sunday’s crucial encounter. If Haaland is sidelined, recent hat-trick hero Omar Marmoush could once again lead the line.
Liverpool Show Signs of Fatigue in Title Race
Arne Slot’s Liverpool remain in pole position in the title race, but their recent performances suggest they may be feeling the pressure. A 2-1 victory over Wolves was far from convincing, and a midweek trip to Aston Villa saw them drop points in a 2-2 draw, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected strike rescuing them late on.
If Arsenal defeat West Ham as expected, the Gunners will close the gap to just five points before Liverpool take to the field at the Etihad. Slot’s side have won only one of their last four games in all competitions and have also struggled on the road in recent months. The Reds have won just two of their last eight away games in all competitions and none of their last three. However, they remain unbeaten in Premier League away fixtures this season and have scored in all 14 such matches.
Liverpool also claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over City at Anfield earlier in the season, where Guardiola’s infamous six-finger gesture became a major talking point. Historically, Liverpool have completed the league double over the reigning Premier League champions six times, most recently against Chelsea in 2010-11.
Team News & Expected Lineups
Haaland’s availability remains the biggest question mark for City, while defensive injuries continue to trouble Guardiola. John Stones is set to miss out and could require surgery on a quadriceps injury, while Manuel Akanji (thigh), Oscar Bobb (calf), and Rodri (ACL) are also sidelined.
Liverpool have their own injury concerns, with Cody Gakpo a doubt after missing the last two league games. Joe Gomez (thigh) and Tyler Morton (shoulder) remain unavailable, while Conor Bradley is also expected to miss out after tweaking his hamstring against Villa.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez; Savinho, Silva, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland
Liverpool possible starting lineup:Alisson; Alexander-Arnold; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
With City rediscovering their attacking form and Liverpool showing signs of vulnerability, this could be the perfect opportunity for Guardiola’s side to strike. If Haaland plays, City’s chances of victory increase significantly. Liverpool’s recent struggles away from home could prove costly, and a defeat at the Etihad would make the title race even more intriguing.
Comments