LASK v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2
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Liverpool fans display a banner that reads "All of your stars are fading away" before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
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Brendan Rodgers
Liverpool fans display a banner reading “No legacy is so rich as honesty” above a row of trophy icons showing the club’s honours in the stands during the match during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
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Liverpool have an easy way to move on from Florian Wirtz but they can’t do it just yet
Liverpool have an easy way to move on from Florian Wirtz but they can’t do it just yet
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Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
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Florian Wirtz runs with the ball as Rayan Cherki looks on during Liverpool's Premier League match against Manchester City at Anfield
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Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
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Liverpool FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1
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The eyes of the world will be on Anfield this Sunday as Manchester City begin to face the music for their years of financial wrongdoing.
Poetically, Liverpool, perhaps the team to lose the most at the hands of City’s rule-breaking, will have the chance to dish out some relatively swift justice, with the home crowd ready to let Enzo Maresca and his team know just how low they think of them.
Sadly, the Reds will not be full strength to face City, though, after Andoni Iraola shared the news that both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo will miss the game. Without a recognised centre-forward, Iraola is going to have to get creative with his attack in particular. Here’s what we think he’ll decide to go with for the most anticipated XI of his time at Liverpool so far.
With Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo missing Man City, who are you starting in their place? Would you make any other changes to the team too? 👀
I cant see it happening either tbf , not in such a big game , but for me we are not seeing the best of wirtz because he is playing so deep at times , but without isak , gakpo , something has to happen today cannot have wirtz playing to deep today .
I'd be happy with the definitely. Still looks a good three. Really need Barcola to step up either way
I can't see it happening, I'm always wary of drastic changes for one off games. Having said that it's an interesting idea. Wirtz up front in a two with Isak is definitely something we should try when Isak is back
Defence
Alisson Becker should be fresh after taking the international break off, and he will be looking to make it four consecutive Premier League clean sheets here. Liverpool will need him at his best to keep out Erling Haaland and co.
In front of him, news that Jeremy Jacquet has been passed fit will have come as a huge relief to supporters. Jacquet has been brilliant so far this season, and though he is set for his toughest test yet, there isn’t anyone Liverpool fans would rather have partner Virgil van Dijk right now.
Iraola has hailed Ronald Araujo in the build-up to the match, and although he had a busy international window himself, the Uruguayan should continue at right-back here.
Milos Kerkez has been the least convincing of a revitalised defensive unit, but he should be full of confidence after scoring his first goal for Hungary, and there is little chance of him dropping out of the team for Sunday.
READ MORE: Gary Neville explains his one worry for Liverpool when they face Man City this weekend
Midfield
What Iraola decides to do with his midfield will likely be as a direct result of who he chooses in his forward line.
Whatever happens, it is fair to assume that both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will start regardless. Mac Allister was the last to play for his country on Wednesday and Szoboszlai was again overplayed for Hungary, but they are both too crucial to Liverpool to miss out.
Though he has been coming under fire recently, Florian Wirtz should also still expect to start here, but instead of playing him in his usual attacking midfield role, we think Iraola may instead choose to pack the midfield and shift the German into attack.
That would mean a start for Ryan Gravenberch, something of a rarity these days, with the Dutchman sitting alongside Mac Allister and Szoboszlai pushing forward in a recreation of the Reds’ Premier League-winning midfield of 2024/25.
Attack
This is where the real question marks now lie for Iraola, and it is safe to say that he will be putting great emphasis on Bradley Barcola.
Barcola has reiterated his wish to play on the left of the attack whenever possible for Liverpool, and there is the option to do that here. Having chosen to pack the midfield and put Wirtz on the left, though, we think the Frenchman is the prime candidate to play through the middle.
Barcola has played at centre-forward previously, and playing him close to Wirtz in a left-central spot should attract City defenders and leave space on the right for Victor Munoz to exploit.
Rio Ngumoha is obviously an option here, as is integrating Lewis Koumas somehow, but in terms of form and potential impact, we’d have a Wirtz/Barcola/Munoz front three down as the best Liverpool can do here.
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Manchester City
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Manchester City