Man City XI vs. Liverpool: Marmoush, Haaland Dilemma—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

The form of the eight-time Premier League winners, and their star striker, leave much to be desired.

Omar Marmoush is staking a claim. | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Manchester City are searching for only their second victory at Anfield in over two decades when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday.

Their 4–1 triumph behind closed doors in 2021 was their sole triumph on the ground since May 2003 but Pep Guardiola’s side desperately need all three points this weekend. Trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by six points ahead of Gameweek 25, they can afford no further slip-ups in their hunt for the title.

Afrter last weekend’s collapse at Tottenham Hotspur, City returned to winning ways midweek, beating Newcastle United to book their place in the Carabao Cup final. But the journey to Anfield will be an entirely different proposition.

---

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: DDLWD

---

Team News

Jérémy Doku is still missing for the Cityzens. | Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images

• ⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Joško Gvardiol, Savinho, Mateo Kovačić, Jérémy Doku, Bernardo Silva
• 🔢 Predicted formation: 4-1-4-1

The positive injury news for City is that Rúben Dias is available once more in the heart of defence and John Stones has recently returned to team training after a lengthy absence. The Englishman is set to be eased back into the fold, though.

There remains doubts over the fitness of Bernardo Silva, who picked up an injury last weekend in north London and missed the Newcastle game, while Savinho, Jérémy Doku, Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić are all sidelined.

Marc Guéhi is free to feature having been ineligible for the cup on Wednesday night and Guardiola has cast slight doubt over Erling Haaland’s starting berth following Omar Marmoush’s impressive recent displays, admitting he’s uncertain on whether the Norway international will lead the attack.

---

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

Pep Guardiola will make alterations from the midweek win over Newcastle. | FotMob

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—The Italian was unable to repel Dominic Solanke’s inspired scorpion kick last weekend—he’ll hope Liverpool’s band of forwards don’t conjure up such magic.

RB: Matheus Nunes—A battle with Cody Gakpo lies in wait for Nunes, who will fancy his chances of stifling the struggling Dutchman. The overlapping runs of Milos Kerkez also require close attention from the Portuguese.

CB: Abdukodir Khusanov—Dias was back on the bench midweek but Guardiola might be cautious with his reintroduction following a month out of action.

CB: Marc Guéhi—Guéhi endured a mixed afternoon at Spurs last weekend and all pressure will be on him to deliver at Anfield following his failed move to Liverpool last summer.

LB: Nico O’Reilly—An encounter with Mohamed Salah has seldom ended well for City left backs over the years but O’Reilly’s youthful exuberance may be the perfect shackle for the out-of-sorts Egyptian.

DM: Rodri—Rodri was fortunate to avoid being sent off for the second time in four matches, somehow escaping a second booking against Spurs. The Spaniard is still operating below his Ballon d’Or-winning standards.

RM: Antoine Semenyo—Semenyo torched Liverpool and former clubmate Kerkez back in August during Bournemouth’s Anfield defeat—his current form suggests he could repeat the trick.

CM: Tijjani Reijnders—Reijnders produced an excellent display against Newcastle and Guardiola could turn to the Dutchman to offer greater security in midfield.

CM: Phil Foden—With Silva a significant doubt for the trip to Liverpool, Foden could feature from the off in a central role. And while the Englishman is struggling to rediscover his mojo, he has scored twice at Anfield previously.

LM: Rayan Cherki—The versatile Frenchman continues to dazzle in light blue and will be viewed as a major threat by Liverpool’s defence.

ST: Erling Haaland—Marmoush’s form and Haaland’s modest returns since the turn of the year do open the door to potential rotation up top, but the Norway international should retain Guardiola’s trust—the City boss labelling him the “best in the world” on Friday.

---