Liverpool XI vs. Man City: Wirtz, Ekitike Give Slot No Choice—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

The Reds continue their push for Champions League qualification.

Florian Wirtz (left) and Hugo Ekitiké have been exceptional lately. | Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory of the calendar year last weekend but face an almighty test in the search for back-to-back domestic wins.

The 4–1 triumph over Newcastle United will have energised the Reds ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming Anfield visit, but another impressive performance is required to overcome the title chasers.

Arne Slot’s side have been wildly unpredictable this season but can still salvage an underwhelming campaign if they can build some momentum in the next few months. Sunday’s duel is a major test of their credentials.

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Match Snapshot

• 🕒 Kick-off time: 4:30 p.m. GMT, 11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT
• 📍 Location: Anfield
• 🏆 Competition: Premier League
• 📊 Recent form: DDDLW

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Team News

Alexander Isak remains some way off returning. | Image Photo Agency/Getty Images

• ⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong
• 🔢 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Liverpool will continue without long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley on Sunday, while Jeremie Frimpong has been ruled out by Slot as he recovers from a groin injury sustained against Qarabağ.

In better news, Joe Gomez could be available in some capacity, with Slot hopeful of his return to the squad after missing the past three matches.

Youngsters Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajčetić are also missing for Liverpool.

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Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Man City (4-2-3-1)

Liverpool still face issues in defence. | FotMob

GK: Alisson—There have been few straightforward outings for Alisson this season, even in Liverpool victories. Against City’s star-studded attack, the Brazilian will need to be on top of his game.

RB: Dominik Szoboszlai—With Frimpong and Bradley injured, Liverpool’s Swiss Army knife should continue at right back against some tricky forwards.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—An emotional return to Anfield last weekend brought an excellent display and goal for Konaté, who will need a similarly defiant performance against Erling Haaland and Co.

CB: Virgil van Dijk—Haaland has rarely outmanoeuvred Van Dijk in previous battles, but the Dutchman’s decline this term hints at an awkward contest this weekend.

LB: Milos Kerkez—Likely to come up against former Bournemouth clubmate Antoine Semenyo, the Hungarian knows how hard he will have to work to thwart the in-form Ghanaian.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch—City’s midfield is not as imperious as it has been in recent seasons but Gravenberch must still deliver an accomplished performance to deny the likes of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—These are the kind of fixtures in which Liverpool desperately miss Mac Allister’s lost swagger. The Argentine continues to play within himself despite recent glimpses of his class.

RW: Mohamed Salah—Salah has long been City’s nemesis, scoring 13 in 24 matches against them and delivering a goal and assist in both of last term’s meetings. However, this is a very different Salah.

AM: Florian Wirtz—Wirtz was ridiculed after Liverpool’s 3–0 defeat in November’s reverse fixture but he appears primed to silence his doubters again on Sunday. The German’s produced six goals and two assists in his last 10 games in all competitions.

LW: Cody Gakpo—The performances of Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké have lifted some of the creative burden off Salah and Gakpo, but the Dutchman has found himself under particularly harsh scrutiny for his below-par displays.

ST: Hugo Ekitiké—Ekitiké stole the show alongside fellow scorer Wirtz last weekend, with an excellent quick-fire brace taking his tally to 15 for Liverpool. The Frenchman is certain to cause issues for City’s uncertain rearguard.

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