Anfield plays host to a monumental clash in the Premier League title race as Liverpool welcome Manchester City on Sunday evening in a fixture that could ultimately define the trajectory of the English top-flight season.
Arne Slot’s side enter this weekend’s blockbuster fixture boosted by a dominant 4-1 victory over Newcastle United last time out, a result that saw the Reds rediscover their clinical edge at the perfect moment.
However, despite the high spirits on Merseyside, Liverpool remain locked in a ferocious battle for UEFA Champions League qualification, knowing that any slip-up at this stage of the campaign could be catastrophic for their European ambitions.
Slot faces a defensive crisis with Jeremie Frimpong (thigh) and Conor Bradley (knee) ruled out alongside long-term absentee Giovanni Leoni. In attack, Alexander Isak remains sidelined with a leg fracture.
City are also without Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Mateo Kovacic. While John Stones has returned to training, this clash comes too soon for him to feature.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City arrive on Merseyside following a 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle United to secure their place in the Carabao Cup final. While their domestic cup form has been imperious, their recent Premier League outings have been uncharacteristically stuttering.
A frustrating 2-2 draw away at Tottenham has left the reigning champions with a significant mountain to climb, as they look to close a daunting nine-point gap to league leaders Arsenal.
With the stakes at their absolute highest, both managers have had to navigate significant injury concerns and fatigue ahead of what promises to be a high-octane encounter under the Anfield lights.
Ahead of the 16:30 UK kick-off at Anfield, here are the confirmed line-ups for both sides.
Liverpool
Starting XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha
Manchester City
Starting XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Bernardo, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Marmoush, Haaland
Substitutes: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Ake, Cherki, Nico, Foden, Alleyne, Lewis