Liverpool will take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and they have a chance to dent their opponents' title bid
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Liverpool are set to resume Premier League action on Sunday in a match that could be crucial for both the title race and the race for Champions League qualification. Arne Slot's side secured their first league victory of 2026 in their last match by defeating Newcastle 4-1 at Anfield but they remain in sixth place in the table after a slow start to the new calendar year.
Manchester City are the opposition on Sunday and Pep Guardiola's side are looking to seal a league double after winning 3-0 in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium. The 2023/24 league champions dropped points against Tottenham in their last match, though, and now sit six points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Transfer deadline day came and went without Liverpool bolstering their squad immediately, although Jeremy Jacquet will join in the summer. City have been more active in terms of signings for the here and now, with new signings Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi both expected to feature on Sunday.
Away from the immediate action, Liverpool's production line of young talent continues to catch the eye. Here's our latest round-up from around Anfield.
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Wonderkid Abe training with first team
An unfamiliar face was spotted during Liverpool's first team training session ahead of the Manchester City match. Joshua Abe, who only turned 15 in July, already has a strong reputation on Merseyside and posted about joining the senior squad in preparation for Sunday's game - though it's not guaranteed he'll be included in a matchday squad just yet.
The teenage winger has netted five goals in just eight league matches for Liverpool's Under-18s this season. His impressive performances secured him a UEFA Youth League debut in midweek against Zilina, where he became the club's youngest ever player in the competition.
Joshua Abe playing for Liverpool's Under-18s
Joshua Abe playing for Liverpool's Under-18s(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Back in November, reports suggested that Liverpool were facing competition from Chelsea and Arsenal to retain Abe. Chelsea had previously lost a teenage prospect to Liverpool when Rio Ngumoha made the switch to Merseyside in 2024.
Arne Slot has regularly called on youth in his matchday squads this season. Ngumoha was amongst the unused substitutes for last week's win over Newcastle, alongside fellow England youth internationals Amara Nallo and Trey Nyoni.
Just three 15 year olds have earned minutes in any Premier League match, with two of them representing Arsenal. Ethan Nwaneri became the competition's youngest ever player when he made his Arsenal debut in 2022, with fellow Gunners prospect Max Dowman and Leicester youngster Jeremy Monga being the others to debut before their 16th birthday.
Ngumoha compensation ruling
Liverpool will reportedly be required to pay Chelsea a minimum of £2.8million in compensation for Rio Ngumoha. As first reported by The Athletic, a tribunal determined the seven-figure sum, which could rise by an additional £4m.
The promising winger progressed through Chelsea's youth system before making the switch to Anfield in the summer of 2024 when he reached 16 years of age. The potential extra payments are linked to performance and contractual terms, whilst Chelsea will also retain 20 per cent of any future sale.
Ngumoha was already featuring for the Blues' Under-18 team at just 15 years old. He made his first professional appearance for Liverpool in last season's FA Cup and became the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history with his late winner against Newcastle in August.
The London-born teenager has also featured twice in this season's Champions League and received praise from Slot. "Rio can finish so well for his age. I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room he would have taken a first touch but he is so confident. For his age he is a really good finisher," the manager said after his late winner at St James' Park.
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