Liverpool vs Man City always brings fireworks, but this Sunday at Anfield comes with extra gunpowder. City have won all five of their Premier League games and return to action at Liverpool, their first match since the guilty verdict. Meanwhile, Liverpool are sweating over Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo. Buckle up.
Liverpool vs Man City: The Setup
Kick-off is 4:30pm UK time, live on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday. City arrive as the early team to beat. Liverpool are unbeaten through seven games under Andoni Iraola, with four wins and three draws, though the team has lacked some attacking fluidity while it adjusts to his methods. ESPN calls this the biggest game of Iraola’s Liverpool career so far.
Isak and Gakpo Injury Update
Iraola told beIN Sports that both players had to leave their national teams with injuries and are both injured right now. Isak suffered a thigh injury with Sweden, while Gakpo withdrew from the Netherlands camp with an ankle problem after a challenge against Serbia.
There is a sliver of hope. Isak’s injury has been described as relatively minor, while the full extent of Gakpo’s ankle problem is still being assessed. Even so, Iraola would not put a timeframe on a return.
Ekitike Out, Jacquet Back
The timing stings. Hugo Ekitike is out with an Achilles injury and is not expected back until December. That means Iraola could be without his two senior forwards. There is one boost at the back. Jeremy Jacquet has returned to first-team training, after a hamstring strain saw him left out of France’s 4-1 win over Belgium.
City: Calm Outside, Chaos Around Them
On the surface, City are relaxed. Enzo Maresca says squad morale is fantastic, and Erling Haaland has urged the club to stick together. The backdrop is heavy. An independent commission found City guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules, and the club face a severe points penalty or even expulsion.
City have lodged an appeal. That means perfect results on the pitch and enormous noise off it.
What Iraola Expects
Iraola knows the size of the task. He said Liverpool must be very, very good to beat City, who have been scoring plenty of goals, and he hopes his side can defend their threats and hurt them at the other end.
Three Things to Watch
First, who leads Liverpool’s line if Isak and Gakpo both miss out. Second, whether Liverpool’s recent defensive improvement holds up against City’s firepower. Third, how City handle the Anfield noise with a verdict hanging over them. That last point is our opinion, not a fact, but big games reward cool heads.
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