English Premier League leaders Liverpool take on Manchester City an Anfield today with the opportunity to open up an 11-point gap at the top of the table.
These two teams have come to define an era of the EPL over the last few years, though today is the first meeting between Pep Guardiola and new Liverpool coach Arne Slot.
And the situation could hardly be more different for each club, with Liverpool having been in superb form since its only loss of the season so far – against Nottingham Forest in September.
The Reds have won 14 of their last 15 matches, while Guardiola’s side are without a win in their last six games, having lost five and drawn one.
But despite a poor run of recent form, City has the chance to turn things around with a statement win at Anfield, with the possibility of cutting the gap to just five points while getting its season back on track.
You can follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates below:
Liverpool vs Man City EPL updates
- Kick-off time: 11am EST/8am PST
- US TV channel: Peacock
Liverpool FC - Manchester City FC
Team news - Manchester City
14:50
Harry Latham-Coyle
Pep Guardiola swings the selection scythe with goalkeeper Ederson only on the bench as Stefan Ortega is given a big opportunity. Rico Lewis looks likely to occupy the Rodri role.
Manchester City XI: Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Lewis, Gundogan, Nunes; Bernardo, Haaland, Foden.
Your City side for #LIVMCI
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 1, 2024
XI | Ortega Moreno, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Ake, Lewis, Gundogan, Nunes, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland
SUBS | Ederson, Carson, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Gvardiol, Savinho, O'Reilly, McAtee
#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/v5dHmGN3V4
Team news - Liverpool
14:48
Harry Latham-Coyle
With no Ibrahima Konate, it is Joe Gomez to partner Virgil van Dijk in the heart of a Liverpool defence that also includes Trent Alexander-Arnold. Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo both start in the front three.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Team news is in #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/fluG0mAkcy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2024
Team news
14:40
Chris Wilson
Here’s a reminder of the early team news – line-ups will be announced in around five minutes.
For Liverpool, Konate has been ruled out while Conor Bradley, who went off holding his hamstring, could be replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The right back is fit to start after returning to the bench against Real Madrid, while Jarrell Quansah or Joe Gomez will be required to partner Virgil van Dijk.
Elsewhere, Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal after another excellent display - saving Kylian Mbappe’s penalty against Real Madrid. Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa remain out.
Pep Gurdiola did not provide much of an injury update on Friday, only stating “we will see” when asked about returning players.
John Stones is a doubt after missing the draw against Feyenoord, while Ruben Dias returned to the bench in midweek. Kevin De Bruyne made his second appearance as a substitute since coming back from his injury, as he moves closer to a start. Jeremy Doku is also working his way back. Mateo Kovacic and Rodri are out.
Age is catching up with Man City – it’s time for Pep Guardiola to be ruthless
14:30
Chris Wilson
Pep Guardiola was contemplating the future. Not a fifth successive Premier League title. Because, as he accepted, when a team is in run like Manchester City’s, they need one win before they can aim for bigger targets. But a manager who signed a two-year contract extension last week was looking into the longer term.
And, more than ever before, he accepted that it involves a rebuild. Guardiola committed himself to it, and not merely by putting pen to paper. He cited the reality that, six months ago, City were crowned champions, FA Cup finalists, a side only knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by Real Madrid. “But the football life changed in one thing and another,” he added.
Guardiola’s has changed with five defeats and a draw in a match City had been winning 3-0. He has a cut to his nose, a dent to his pride, but also an argument that the unusual element was not City’s recent slide but how long they sustained success. But if it has exposed the need for an overhaul, it is instructive Guardiola has admitted it and suggested he wants to shape a new side.
Arne Slot details why Pep Guardiola can find ‘brilliant’ solution to Man City crisis
14:20
Chris Wilson
Arne Slot hailed Pep Guardiola as an inspiration and said he is expecting the Manchester City manager to come up with a “brilliant idea” to end their winless run and show why he is the “best in the world” ahead of facing Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool welcome their Premier League rivals with the chance to increase their lead over the champions to 11 points, with City without a win in their last six and enduring their worst run of results under Guardiola.
Slot pointed to Rodri’s absence and further injuries as a reason to explain their slump, but the Dutch coach explained that he believes City’s performances have not been as bad as their results and they remain a “very, very good team”.
Potential permutations
14:10
Chris Wilson
However, City have clawed back deficits of between 8 and 0 points to win the Premier League title on six occasions - and all at a later stage of the campaign than now.
In fact, four of Guardiola’s six Premier League title-winning seasons, they have overturned gaps of eight points or more.
Potential permutations
14:05
Chris Wilson
There are some worthy stats to note depending on the outcome of today’s game. Note that, if Liverpool win, they’ll have a gap of 11 points on City. If City win, that gap will be five points.
In the 32 Premier League seasons, only three times have teams come from 11 or more points behind at any point to win the title (of course, Arsenal are closer than City).
City themselves have never managed to win the title after being behind by more than 10 points, and only once has a team had an 11-point lead after 13 games - Manchester United in the 1993-94 season, who went on to win the title.
In addition, City could become the first Premier League champions to lose four successive games the following season.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk warns Man City ‘can turn it around’ ahead of Anfield showdown
13:55
Chris Wilson
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk remains wary of the threat Manchester City post despite their recent drop in form handing the initiative in the Premier League to their title rivals.
City have lost three successive league games, as part of a six-match run of five defeats and a draw, and arrive at Anfield eight points behind their hosts.
An 18th win in 20 matches this season would put Arne Slot’s side 11 points clear of their opponents but Van Dijk said even in December that advantage would not be decisive.
The real issue behind Man City’s crisis and what Guardiola must learn from Mourinho
13:45
Chris Wilson
For all the comments on Pep Guardiola’s scratches, some senior figures in football were a bit shocked by the image. That even extended to the top levels of Liverpool, who Manchester City travel to face on Sunday.
It was certainly unusual, but these are unusual times. The 3-3 collapse at home to Feyenoord made it even clearer that City’s form is more than a blip. In the space of just five games, Guardiola has suffered a worst ever league defeat, a worst ever run of losses – with four becoming five – and a first ever game where one of his teams squandered a three-goal lead. A 3-0 advantage over Feyenoord at home was supposed to be the sort of situation where form self-corrects but it just saw more calamitous error. Those at Liverpool have been comparing it to Jurgen Klopp’s 2022-23 season, which the German felt he couldn’t leave as his last campaign at Anfield. The same club can now make it even more torrid for City. They sense opportunity.
So does pretty much everyone that faces the champions right now. It feeds into this striking feeling about City’s form. Every time you think it can’t possibly get worse, it does. That alone has been a shock to confidence, one that is compounding everything.
More from Pep
13:35
Chris Wilson
Guardiola did make more comments regarding his situation, adding that he has this sort of margin for error due to his achievements.
“It isn’t normal in the big clubs to do what we’ve done. We have to accept it.
“I want to stay, the moment I feel not positive I will go. But I want the opportunity to try and rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and then next.
“I ask for this challenge, I ask for this opportunity to do it. Because I feel it. I know what I want to do, what we have to do, knowing in the moment our consistency we had, we don’t have it right now.”
Pep Guardiola suggests he could quit Man City if dismal run continues
13:30
Chris Wilson
Pep Guardiola has vowed to walk away from Manchester City when he thinks he is not benefitting the club any more.
City have lost five of their last six games, including the longest losing run of Guardiola’s career, and gave up a three-goal lead to draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday.
But Guardiola, who signed a new contract last week, said managers at clubs like City are in “trouble” if they stop winning as they said they could not “cry all the time” that Rodri is injured.
How does the Premier League table look?
13:20
Chris Wilson
Much has been made of how Liverpool could go 11 points clear of City today, but as it stands, other clubs are closer to the Reds at the top of the table.
Brighton’s draw with Southampton on Friday put them into second place, ahead of City on goal difference, before Arsenal’s win on Saturday evening meant they leapfrogged the Seagulls into second place, on 25 points.
Chelsea kick off against Aston Villa at 1.30pm today, and they could go second themselves if they win by enough goals.
Liverpool vs Man City latest team news and predicted line-ups
13:10
Chris Wilson
Ahead of the match, here’s a rundown of the early team news for both sides, including recent injuries and any players who might return.
Arne Slot provides Caoimhin Kelleher update after Liverpool goalkeeper shines against Real Madrid
13:00
Chris Wilson
Arne Slot insists it’s “too early” to discuss next season for Caoimhin Kelleher after the Irish goalkeeper impressed once again for Liverpool.
The 26-year-old has produced a series of excellent performances for the Reds during Alisson Becker’s time out injured in recent years.
And Kelleher saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty as Slot’s side maintained their perfect record in the Champions League to defeat Real Madrid.
Rodri issues timely injury update amid Man City’s winless run
12:52
Chris Wilson
Manchester City midfielder Rodri says he has not given up hope on returning to the pitch this season.
The Ballon d’Or winner suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September and underwent surgery.
The Premier League champions have struggled in his absence, losing five games in a row and throwing away a three-goal lead in an extraordinary collapse at home to Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate faces spell out as injury update issued before Man City clash
12:45
Chris Wilson
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury ahead of his side’s crucial clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
The centre-back had been excellent in a commanding 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday but appeared to suffer a knee issue right at the end of the match.
Konate limped off after full-time with manager Arne Slot admitting it was “not a good sign” that he could not join his team-mates on a lap of applause around the Anfield pitch.
Predicted line-ups
12:35
Chris Wilson
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
Manchester City XI: Lewis; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Bernardo, Gundogan; Foden, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
City team news
12:30
Chris Wilson
Manchester City’s injury problems have been clear for all to see during their six-game winless run and Pep Gurdiola did not provide much of an an update on Friday, only stating “we will see” when asked about returning players.
John Stones is a doubt after missing the draw against Feyenoord, while Ruben Dias returned to the bench in midweek. Kevin De Bruyne made his second appearance as a substitute since coming back from his injury, as he moves closer to a start. Jeremy Doku is also working his way back. Mateo Kovacic and Rodri are out.
Liverpool team news
12:25
Chris Wilson
The only blemish on Liverpool’s evening against Real Madrid were the injuries to Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley. Konate has been ruled out while Bradley, who went off holding his hamstring, could be replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The right back is fit to start after returning to the bench against Real Madrid, while Jarrell Quansah or Joe Gomez will be required to partner Virgil van Dijk and face Erling Haaland.
Elsewhere, Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal after another excellent display - saving Kylian Mbappe’s penalty against Real Madrid. Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa remain out. Cody Gakpo could replace Luis Diaz in the rotation of Liverpool forwards.
Is Liverpool v Manchester City on TV?
12:20
Chris Wilson
When is Liverpool vs Manchester City?
The fixture will kick off at 4:00pm BST on Sunday 1 December at Anfield.
What TV channel is it on and how can I watch?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Liverpool vs Manchester City LIVE
12:10
Chris Wilson
Liverpool face Manchester City at Anfield with the chance to go 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola’s champions at this early stage of the Premier League of the season.
Arne Slot’s excellent start to life at Liverpool continued with a superb victory over Real Madrid and the Reds are flying into the second of two huge games at Anfield this week.
City, by contrast, drew 3-3 with Feyenoord after blowing a three-goal lead late on to extend their winless run to an unprecedented six games under Guardiola.
Ilkay Gundogan admitted City’s hopes of winning a fifth Premier League title in a row could suffer a fatal blow if they lose to Liverpool, and even Guardiola has said the champions are fragile.
Liverpool are full of belief but Virgil van Dijk expects a reaction from City and Slot has warned that Guardiola will come up with a solution to show why he is the best manager in the world on Sunday.
Liverpool vs Manchester City LIVE
12:00
Chris Wilson
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s blockbuster game at the top of the Premier League between Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arne Slot’s men have the chance to go 11 points clear of the Cityzens today, while Pep Guardiola’s side are without a win in six, but could cut the lead to just five points.
It’s all set up for a mesmerising afternoon at the top of the table, and we’ll have all of the latest build-up, news and updates here.
