Need to know
Pep Guardiola will not be on the touchline for Man City's FA Cup clash with Liverpool, with his assistant, Pep Lijnders, set to take his place
Pep Guardiola chats with Manchester City's assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders
Pep Lijnders (R) will be on the touchline for Man City against Liverpool in place of Pep Guardiola(Image: Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about Pep Guardiola's ban ahead of Man City vs Liverpool:
The incident: Pep Guardiola is serving a two-match touchline ban after accumulating six yellow cards in domestic competitions this season. The decisive booking came during City's 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round victory over Newcastle, where his protests to the fourth official crossed the line in the eyes of the referee.
The ban: Premier League rules dictate that managers receive a one-match ban for accumulating three yellow cards in a single season and a two-match ban for six yellow cards. The suspension only covers Premier League and FA Cup matches, with Guardiola sidelined for City's clash with West Ham last month too.
Restrictions: Guardiola is now prohibited from entering the technical area, the pitch and the dressing room for the duration of the match. He is, however, permitted to sit in the stands and communicate with his coaching staff via headset or mobile device.
Pep Lijnders steps in: In a twist of fate that has dominated the pre-match headlines, Man City assistant Pep Lijnders will take lead responsibility in the dugout. Lijnders joined Guardiola's staff following his departure from Liverpool in 2024, making today's clash a high-stakes reunion with his former employers.
The Liverpool connection: Lijnders spent nearly a decade at Anfield, serving as the influential right-hand man to Jurgen Klopp. His deep knowledge of Liverpool's players - many of whom he helped develop - adds a fascinating tactical layer to today's quarter-final.
Lijnders' past experience: While this is a temporary step-up at City, Lijnders is no stranger to the pressure of the big stage. He frequently took charge of pre-match press conferences and League Cup duties during his time at Liverpool and has had short stints as head coach of both NEC and Red Bull Salzburg.
Match stakes: Today's winner secures a trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals. There, they will face either the winner of Chelsea vs Port Vale, Southampton vs Arsenal or West Ham vs Leeds.
Match date and kick off: Man City vs Liverpool takes place on Saturday, April 4 at the Etihad Stadium. Kick off is set for 12:45pm UK time.
How to watch: The match is available to watch on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Fans can also stream coverage of the tie on the HBO Max app and website.