Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview: Iraola's Unbeaten Start Meets the League Leaders at Anfield

Liverpool host Premier League leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday 11 October 2026, with an unbeaten Liverpool side facing a team that has won every league game so far. Kick-off is at 6:30 pm Kenyan time (4:30 pm in the UK).

What is at stake

Manchester City have won all five of their league games and sit top of the table on 15 points. Arsenal moved level with them on points on Saturday 10 October 2026 by beating Leeds United 2-1, so City will want to protect their lead.

Liverpool are on nine points, six behind, after two wins and three draws from their first five league games under Andoni Iraola. That is the best start by a Liverpool manager since Joe Fagan in 1983, according to Sky Sports. There is one gap in the record, though: Liverpool have not won a home league game under Iraola, and their last league win at Anfield came against Crystal Palace on 26 April.

Liverpool team news

Iraola has injury problems to manage. Alexander Isak (thigh) and Cody Gakpo (ankle) both returned early from the international break and have been ruled out for this game. Iraola said they "are not ready". Hugo Ekitike is months away from a return after a ruptured Achilles.

There is some better news elsewhere. Jeremy Jacquet is available, and Lewis Koumas, 21, may come in to replace Isak.

Manchester City team news

City will be without Phil Foden, who is suspended after a red card in the Manchester derby.

Storylines to watch

Midfield balance is the biggest tactical question for Iraola. Sky Sports reports that he prefers Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai as the two holding midfielders, with Ryan Gravenberch left out, and that Liverpool have kept three straight clean sheets. How that pairing copes against City's attackers will be a key part of the afternoon.

The form of Florian Wirtz, the club's £116m signing, is another talking point, and Iraola must also manage a busy schedule. Liverpool play seven games in three competitions over three weeks, including a trip to Brentford, home games against Brighton and Arsenal, and a League Cup tie against Chelsea.

Recent meetings

City won the most recent meeting 4-0 in the FA Cup in April 2026, and the last Premier League game between the sides was a 2-1 City win at Anfield in February 2026.

View our predictions for this match: Liverpool vs Manchester City, Sunday 11 October