Man City vs. Liverpool—FA Cup Quarterfinal: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

The two heavyweight sides clash at the Etihad Stadium with a place in the semifinals at stake.

Manchester City have won both meetings against Liverpool in 2025–26. | Visionhaus/Getty Images

An all-star FA Cup quarterfinal clash will be staged at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday when Manchester City host Liverpool.

The winners of the last eight Premier League titles lock horns for their place in the FA Cup semifinal and a trip Wembley Stadium—Man City entering this weekend’s fixture off the back of a successful journey to the venue in the Carabao Cup final.

Prior to the March international break, Nico O’Reilly’s double secured the trophy, further filling Pep Guardiola’s overflowing trophy cabinet. Confidence will be flowing when the his players reconvene and they will fancy their chances of a third straight victory over the Reds.

Liverpool’s disastrous Premier League campaign hit another snag before the international period, with defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion damaging their Champions League qualification bid. The FA Cup can provide salvation for Arne Slot and his players, although they might have one eye on a midweek trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

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Man City vs. Liverpool Score Prediction

More Misery Likely for the Visitors

Man City are fresh from winning a trophy. | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

City and Liverpool have both endured their fair share of disappointment this season, but it’s the former who enter Saturday’s fixture in brighter mood. The Carabao Cup triumph could prove the catalyst for Guardiola’s men during the final two months of the campaign as they chase a domestic treble.

City have been unpredictable this season, but nowhere near as inconsistent as their visitors. Liverpool’s performance levels have wildly fluctuated and they have been particularly vulnerable on their travels—an uncertain defense and misfiring forward line having proven costly on many occasions.

Another opportunity for Liverpool redemption may be eliminated this weekend, with City significant favorites to book their ticket to the final four.

• Head-to-head record: Slot won his first two meetings with City, but defeats home and away in the Premier League for Liverpool this season have turned the tables. The Reds were thrashed in a 3–0 Etihad loss back in November and were stunned late in the day during the Anfield showdown in February.
• Liverpool’s away day woes: The Reds have been hugely disappointing on the road this season. Three defeats from their last four away games is indicative of their dire record on enemy turf, with just six wins from 16 games away from Anfield in the Premier League.
• City’s attacking spark: Even during City’s slip-ups this term, they have been fluid and threatening in attack. All of the club’s forwards are available against a leaky Liverpool backline—Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo having proved particularly effective against the Reds in recent times.

Prediction: Man City 3–1 Liverpool

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Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool

A similar XI to the Carabao Cup final. | FotMob

City have several injury concerns ahead of Liverpool’s visit, all of them coming in defense. Joško Gvardiol is still absent with a long-term injury, Rúben Dias is a doubt having missed the Carabao Cup final and international break and John Stones could miss out after withdrawing from England duty due to an ailment.

Elsewhere, however, City appear to have come through the international break unscathed, and Guardiola could select a similar lineup as the one chosen at Wembley. The only change might be Marc Guéhi, who was ineligible to appear in the win over Arsenal.

Man City predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.

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Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Man City

Liverpool could have Mo Salah back. | FotMob

Slot has revealed that Mohamed Salah is “very close” to his return from injury and should feature this weekend as he commences his farewell tour. Similarly, Federico Chiesa, who was absent for Italy over the international period, appears likely to make his comeback from a knock.

Jeremie Frimpong is once again an injury concern for the Reds after sustaining a fresh setback with the Netherlands. Slot has suggested he could be available, but he could still join goalkeeper Alisson in the treatment room.

Alexander Isak made his much-anticipated return to team training on Thursday and could even be involved this weekend after over three months on the sidelines. However, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo remain out for the long term.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-2-2-2): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitiké.

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What Time Does Man City vs. Liverpool Kick Off?

• Location: Manchester, England
• Stadium: Etihad Stadium
• Date: Saturday, April 4
• Kick-off Time: 12:45 p.m. BST / 7:45 a.m. PT / 4:45 a.m. ET
• Referee: Michael Oliver
• VAR: Paul Howard

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How to Watch Man City vs. Liverpool on TV, Live Stream

Country	TV Channel/Live Stream
United States	ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Select, ESPN App, fuboTV
United Kingdom	TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, HBO Max
Canada	Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Plus
Mexico	Max Mexico

• MORE: Full list of FA Cup broadcasters around the world

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