Liverpool vs Man City: Premier League team news and prediction

The Premier League gameweek ends with the standout clash of the weekend as Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield. The last two Premier League title winners will hope to claim an early scalp in 2021/22 to boost their title aspirations. 

Ahead of this one, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch this game, what time it kicks off, team news and probable XIs... 

When is kick off?                

Sunday 3rd October, 16:30 GMT                

Where is the match?                

Anfield, Liverpool 

What TV channel is it on?                

Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event 

Season so far 

Liverpool came into gameweek seven top of the table on 14 points despite being held to a draw at Brentford last weekend. The final remaining unbeaten side in the league after their 3-3 draw in west London, coupled with Manchester United and Chelsea both losing, they'll have their work cut out in order to extend their unbeaten start at Manchester City's expense. 

Despite dropping points in two of their opening six league matches, City came into the game at Anfield just a point behind Liverpool. Pep Guardiola masterminded an impressive 1-0 win at title rivals Chelsea last weekend and having ended their poor record on Merseyside in this fixture last season, they'll be keen to inflict another defeat on a title contender on Sunday. 

Team News 

The huge blow for Liverpool is the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back missed the 5-1 win at Porto due to a muscle complaint and won't return to domestic duties until after the international break. James Milner is expected to deputise in defence as a result. Thiago is another ruled out for the Reds, and the pair are joined by long-term absentee Harvey Elliott on the sidelines. Jurgen Klopp must now decide whether to use Curtis Jones or Naby Keita alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in midfield. 

Like Alexander-Arnold and Thiago, Ilkay Gundogan is ruled out until after the international break for Manchester City, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is hoping to feature in some capacity. Jack Grealish has started every league and European game for Manchester City this season, and showed signs of fatigue in the 2-0 loss to PSG in midweek. Phil Foden made an appearance off the bench in Paris and may come into the side, which could see Kevin De Bruyne moved into a false nine role, with Ferran Torres the man to make way. 

Probable XIs 

Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Jota, Mane

Man City (433) - Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, Foden; Jesus, De Bruyne, Grealish

Key Battle: Virgil van Dijk vs Ruben Dias

Two colossal centre-backs are hoping to play an important role for their respective team when Liverpool host Manchester City on Sunday. Virgil van Dijk and Ruben Dias are widely considered to be the two best in their position in the Premier League and they rank among the best rated centre-backs in the Premier League this season.

On this occasion, it's Van Dijk (7.32) who edges Dias (7.30), but a solid performance from either player at Anfield may result in a shift in power. Van Dijk missed the 4-1 loss to City in this game last season through injury and the result could have been far different had the Dutchman been fit to feature.

Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City