Liverpool have the opportunity to head into the international break off the back of three successive wins, but Pep Guardiola’s Man City are the side that stand in the way.
Man City vs. Liverpool
Premier League (11) | Etihad Stadium
November 9, 2025 | 4.30pm (GMT)
It never ceases to amaze what two positive results can do for the mood, and it is thanks to Arne Slot reverting back to his winning formula, which we hope continues at the Etihad.
The international break immediately follows this match, and signing off with three successive wins would make for quite the change after the way we headed into the October break…
1. Alexander Isak fit to return
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 16, 2025: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atlético de Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Isak has missed the last four matches with a groin injury but is expected to be named on the bench on Sunday after rejoining team training on Friday.
“He will train for the first time today (Friday) with the team again, after being three weeks out,” Slot told reporters.
Slot urged the need for patience and to manage expectations when it comes to the striker after another spell out of the side, rightly so, as he will not be fully match fit.
He is the only player to return for this fixture, though there was good news on Alisson. The Brazilian is expected to be available for the first game back against Nottingham Forest.
Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, needs longer in the treatment room.
2. Any Man City injuries?
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Friday, August 11, 2023: Manchester City's goal-scorer Rodrigo Hernández Cascante 'Rodri' celebrates after the FA Premier League match between Burnley FC and Manchester City FC at Turf Moor. Man City won 3-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Man City will be without Mateo Kovacic against the Reds, with an ankle injury ruling him out for the majority of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s only other concern is around Rodri, who was left out in their midweek win over Borussia Dortmund as a precaution with his fitness struggles continuing after his ACL injury.
He has not been ruled out but the City boss did say that he doesn’t think they will “take a risk ahead of the international break” – or is that his usual mind games?
There are no other injury concerns for the hosts.
Possible City XI: Donnarumma; O’Reilly, Gvardiol, Dias, Nunes; Gonzalez; Doku, Silva, Foden, Cherki; Haaland
3. Liverpool’s predicted lineup
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Players of Liverpool pose for a team photograph prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
With five days between the win over Real Madrid and the trip to City, it is within reason that Slot could make only a single change.
Unfortunately for Florian Wirtz, despite playing his best game, he could be the one to drop to the bench to accommodate the return of Cody Gakpo.
With Isak only fit enough for the bench, Hugo Ekitike will continue to lead the line in his first game against City.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
4. The challenge of the Etihad
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, September 18, 2023: Manchester City's Erling Haaland speaks with manager Josep 'Pep' Guardiola during a training session at the Etihad Campus ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Manchester City FC and Red Star Belgrade. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Etihad has not quite been a happy hunting ground, with the exception of last season.
It means that another win for Liverpool would be the first time since March 1991 that they have won two successive league games at City.
Not to mention, they could keep back-to-back league clean sheets at the Etihad for the first time since 2007, when the teams played out successive goalless draws.
And just to underline how difficult the short trip down the M62 has been – sorry! – not since February 2010 (in a sequence of five) have Liverpool gone three successive league games at the Etihad without defeat.
5. Time for another international break
It feels as though the October break only just ended, but we head straight into international fixtures after this match.
At least it is the last one until March, with the exception of AFCON, which will deprive Liverpool of Mohamed Salah for a few weeks over the Christmas period.
It would be good to at least take some momentum into the break, unlike last time!
6. A reunion with Pep Lijnders
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 21, 2024: Liverpool's first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders before the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Pep Lijnders left Liverpool at the same time as Jurgen Klopp, but has now returned to the Premier League as one of Guardiola’s assistants.
The shock summer appointment was met with its fair share of criticism after he worked tirelessly to stop City’s domination under a regime still on the hook for over 115 financial breaches.
It is the first time he will be in the opposition dugout against Liverpool and the away end is likely to let him know about it.
7. Arne Slot hints at Andy Robertson status
Speaking to the press in the lead-up to the fixture, Slot hinted Andy Robertson is the first choice left-back, saying:
“He started three games in seven days, because he also played the game against Crystal Palace.
“I had to take him off at the end of the game [against Real], because I felt he was tired.
“But we have to wait and see. We had recovery the day after, they were day off yesterday (Thursday) and now two-day lead into City. So let’s see where he is today (Friday).
“He’s been calm on the ball and done his job defensively, so yeah I’m happy with his two, maybe three performances – although Palace, 3-0 loss, wasn’t the best game of the season for us.”
8. Give us your prediction!
This fixture always promises goals, there has not been a goalless draw since October 2018 – so something to keep in mind!
Liverpool have won the last two meetings, home and away, by a 2-0 scoreline, with two 1-1 draws preceding the double in Slot’s first season.
Liverpool’s win at the Etihad last season was their first since April 2018, with City winning four of the next eight.
9. Referee: Chris Kavanagh
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk speaking to referee Chris Kavanagh during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Chris Kavanagh is the referee for this fixture, in what will be the fourth time overseeing Liverpool this season – he was in charge in the win over Arsenal and the defeat at Crystal Palace.
Dan Cook and Stuart Burt are his assistants at the Etihad, with Sam Barrott acting as the fourth official. As for VAR, Michael Oliver will be overseeing the match from Stokely Park.
Surely any boots to the chest will be spotted this time…
10. How to follow with TIA!
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 10, 2022: A general view of the City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad Stadium) seen before the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s trip to Man City will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK, with coverage underway from 4pm (GMT).
With Gary Neville likely to bring out his unusual sound effects, you can instead join Harry McMullen on our liveblog from 3.45pm, with live updates all the way through to full time.
Into these, Reds!