The latest Liverpool team news, injury list and predicted XI ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester City
The eyes of the footballing world will be focused firmly on Anfield this Sunday, when Manchester City play their first game since being found guilty of the vast majority of over 100 charges levelled at them by the Premier League. The atmosphere is set to be heated, with the visitors unlikely to leave the fixture without a reminder or two of their impending fate.
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Liverpool head into the game looking to continue their good form following an international break that saw England all but confirm their place in the next stage of the Nations League. The Reds are currently sixth in the table, six points behind Man City who are currently top of the league with five wins from as many matches.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has a number of injury concerns to deal with. Alexander Isak pulled out of Sweden duty with a thigh problem, Jeremy Jacquet withdrew from France’s fixtures with a hamstring complain, and Cody Gakpo had to leave the Netherlands due to an ankle problem.
Ahead of Sunday’s eagerly anticipated clash, this is how Liverpool are expected to line up against Enzo Maresca’s Man City.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Manchester City: goalkeeper and defence
Alisson remains a vital part of Liverpool's starting XIplaceholder image
Alisson remains a vital part of Liverpool's starting XI | Getty Images
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson looked like he might be leaving over the summer, but he’s stuck around for at least one more campaign between the sticks at Anfield. He’ll be in goal as usual when City come to town on Sunday. With Jeremy Doku potentially tearing down the wing, the Reds look set to start loan ace Ronald Araujo at right-back to combat his threat.
On the left, expect to see Milos Kerkez. Despite playing under Iraola at Bournemouth, the Hungary international is still struggling to convince he’s got the necessary quality to become a long-lasting fixture at Anfield. This has led to speculation that Liverpool could try to sign another Bournemouth player, Adrien Truffert, in the January transfer window.
Jacquet’s injury looks to be the least concerning of the international break issues, and he could well miss out on City’s visit. Given that he took part in training earlier this week, he’ll likely again start alongside club icon Virgil van Dijk who, like Alisson, will see his contract expire at the end of the current campaign.
Will Isak start against Man City?
Alexander Isak will be hopeful of proving his fitness to start against Man Cityplaceholder image
Alexander Isak will be hopeful of proving his fitness to start against Man City | AFP via Getty Images
Alexis Mac Allister is another Liverpool star whose future is far from certain, amid claims the player has been left disappointed by the lack of a contract extension offer. Nevertheless, expect him to start against Man City, alongside Kerkez’s international teammate Dominik Szoboszlai.
Interestingly, while Jacquet was pictured in training with Liverpool following the international break, Gakpo wasn’t. This could all be smoke and mirrors from the Reds, but taking it at face well, it suggests he could well miss out on Sunday’s game, meaning Rio Ngumoha could be deployed on the left wing. He made two cameo appearances for England from the bench during their Nations League fixtures.
Over on the right, Victor Munoz - who snubbed Newcastle United at the last hour and decided to join Liverpool last summer - could be given the nod, with Florian Wirtz played in the number ten role. Bradley Barcola may be redeployed as a central striker. This tactical tweak could be made if £125m star forward Isak isn’t fit to play which, at present, looks like it may well be the case.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Man City: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Munoz; Barcola.