Man City vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction
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In seasons gone by, in every competition, this has been a game that has decided where trophies end up and, whilst Manchester City aren’t in the running, it could still be pivotal in the title race.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 23rd February, 2025: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30am / US PT – 8:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock
Man City Preview: The inconsistency of City
Manchester City were dismantled by Kylian Mbappe in midweek as Real Madrid hammered the English champions by three goals to one in the second-leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round tie to complete a 6-3 aggregate victory for Los Blancos.
City were fortunate to only concede six goals over those two legs and their defensive issues have been prominent throughout the last few months. What will worry Guardiola even more was the lack of any cohesion or effectiveness in the final third from those matches, too.
Liverpool Preview: Rocky patch for the Reds
Liverpool have hit a rocky run of form for themselves with Arne Slot’s side rescuing a point at Villa Park against Aston Villa in midweek with a 2-2 draw courtesy of a Trent Alexander-Arnold in the second-half to make it one win in four matches across all competitions.
From having what could have been a nine-point lead if they had held on against Everton in the Merseyside Derby last week, the Reds could head to the Etihad Stadium with a five-point lead over Arsenal and in need of a victory in Manchester.
Man City Team News: Haaland potentially unavailable
After not coming off the bench against Real Madrid in midweek due to injury, Guardiola has said he 'doesn't know' if Erling Haaland will be available to play this weekend. John Stones was forced off at the Bernabeu early on and may require surgery.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Nico, Kovacic; Foden, Silva, Savio; Marmoush
Unavailable: Akanji (Injured), Stones (Injured), Rodri (Injured)
Questionable: Bobb (Fitness), Haaland (Injured)
Liverpool Team News: Gakpo a doubt
Arne Slot has said that Cody Gakpo's potential involvement at the Etihad this season will be 'a close call' after the Dutchman missed the Reds' last couple of fixtures. They are also now expected to be without Conor Bradley as well as England international defender Joe Gomez.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
Unavailable: Gomez (Injured), Bradley (Injured)
Questionable: Gakpo (Injured)
Man City vs Liverpool Prediction
Manchester City have pulled off some impressive performances in this calendar year and especially at the Etihad with comfortable victories over both Chelsea and Newcastle United. However, they have a susceptibility and a fragility at the back that simply now should be exposed by any competent attacking side; which is what made their 4-0 hammering of Newcastle last weekend so surprising. Liverpool’s fluency is not quite there but they maintain a consistent goal threat, whilst they have now kept just four clean sheets in 13 matches across all competitions in 2025. Liverpool remain the least likely to lose but there should be goals for this Lancashire derby.
Man City vs Liverpool Tip: Liverpool to win & both teams to score
