Liverpool round-up as Andoni Iraola addresses the form of one of his summer signings ahead of the Manchester City showdown
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool with assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola is without some key players for the Manchester City game(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth, via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
All eyes in English football will be fixed on Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool face Manchester City. The sides have been embroiled in some monumental, often title-defining, clashes in recent years.
Yet there has never been quite a build-up like this, following City's guilty verdict on 114 Premier League rule breaches, casting serious doubt over their past 15 years of success during which the Reds were so often the runners-up.
Potential sanctions include expulsion from the Premier League, a points deduction and even the stripping of titles, which could theoretically see the Reds' tally of 20 league championships rise retrospectively.
For now, Andoni Iraola's side must simply concentrate on taking on the team sitting pretty at the summit of the Premier League with a perfect record from five matches. Ahead of the highly anticipated game, here is the latest Reds news...
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
Iraola defends another star
Iraola has dismissed claims that summer recruit Bradley Barcola is out of form following criticism of the forward's performances for France. The 24-year-old attracted some scathing assessments after Monday's 4-1 Nations League victory over Belgium.
With senior forwards Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sidelined through injury for the Man City fixture, Iraola needs Barcola to produce the sort of displays he consistently delivered for PSG. The Reds boss said: "I don't think he's in a bad moment.
Bradley Barcola.
Liverpool need a big performance from Bradley Barcola(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
"The problem with wingers or strikers is if they don't score a goal, 'They haven't played well.' We have to see the games, we have to watch. I said it the first game against Atletico Madrid, he missed two or three quite clear chances. I don't care, honestly.
"I care but I want him to see [it's] there. With the national team, I have seen he has had a couple of good situations to score. He hasn't scored, but I want him to be there."
His backing of Barcola comes just a month after he offered comparable support to Florian Wirtz amid the German's ongoing struggles to justify his transfer fee.
Reds ready to pounce
Liverpool are among a host of clubs being linked with Nottingham Forest's Murillo. The Brazilian has cemented himself as one of the Premier League's most dependable centre-backs.
Consequently, he has attracted the attention of numerous top clubs. According to TeamTalk, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are all keen on the 24-year-old, who has clocked up more than 100 appearances since arriving at Forest from Corinthians in 2023.
Nottingham Forest's Murillo
Nottingham Forest's Murillo is attracting attention(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Having penned a new deal in the summer, keeping him at the City Ground until 2030, Murillo would command a substantial transfer fee and a January exit would reportedly necessitate an 'exceptional offer.'
However, with Virgil van Dijk entering the twilight years of his distinguished career, the Reds will be looking to shore up their defensive options for the future.