Manchester City host Liverpool in a blockbuster Premier League clash as the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s late kick-off. Both sides are fighting to mark themselves out as the main title challengers to Arsenal, who sit top of the table with 26 points from 11 games.
City’s recent form is the most promising after just one loss from their last 10 matches leaves Pep Guardiola’s team in third place – seven points behind the Gunners – but with the possibility of closing that gap to four if they are triumphant this afternoon.
However, despite a run in which they lost four league matches on the bounce, Liverpool seem to have turned a corner with big wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid in the past week. Arne Slot’s side are hoping to continue that momentum in Manchester and a victory against their recent rivals is sure to reignite their stuttering title defence.
Follow the score and all the latest updates from the Etihad below.
Read MorePep Guardiola: Arsenal look ‘almost impossible’ to stop but have long way to go
The champions’ dilemma that left Liverpool and Man City in the same hole
Erling Haaland: I’ve never felt better than I do this season
Manchester City vs Liverpool live
- Man City face Liverpool at the Etihad in the Premier League | Live on Sky Sports
- 45+3' GOAL! Gonzalez's shot from range ends up in the net (MCI 2-0 LIV)
- 39' NO GOAL! Van Dijk levels but his goal is ruled out by VAR (MCI 1-0 LIV)
- 29' GOAL! Haaland heads City into the lead (MCI 1-0 LIV)
- 12' MISSED! Mamardashvili denies Haaland from the spot (MCI 0-0 LIV)
- 11' PENALTY! Doku is brought down in the box (MCI 0-0 LIV)
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:55 , Mike Jones60 mins: A Liverpool goal changes the momentum of this game and they look more likely to score it now than they did in the first half.
Pep Guardiola is on his feet, hood of his jacked up to protect from the rain. He’s issuing instructions and looks slightly worried at what he’s witnessing.
For now though his team remain two goals ahead with an hour played.
Ekitike goes off, Gakpo is on
17:53 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad StadiumFlorian Wirtz goes through the middle as Ekitike goes off.
A reminder, perhaps, that Liverpool won here last season with no striker but with Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai as twin false nines.”
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:52 , Mike Jones57 mins: Liverpool’s latest corner is delivered by Florian Wirtz but cleared by the first Man City defender, Savinho.
Cody Gakpo is coming on for the visitors.
An attacking change by Guardiola
17:48 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad StadiumOstensibly an attacking change by Pep Guardiola but perhaps not.
On comes a winger, in Savinho, but Bernardo Silva can be more of a defensive midfielder than required than the departed Rayan Cherki, so this one may be designed to ensure City are solid in the centre.”
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:47 , Mike Jones54 mins: Pep Guardiola is making a change now.
Rayan Cherki heads off to be replaced by Savinho. That could be a slight tactical tweak in order to gain more control of possession.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:45 , Mike Jones51 mins: Salah looks to make use of a threaded pass but Donnarumma storms out of his box and lunges for the ball.
Ruben Dias pokes it away from Salah as he’s clattered by his own keeper.
His touch is crucial though as Salah chases it down, City regroup and repel the attack.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:43 , Mike Jones50 mins: Liverpool win a corner and Mo Salah strides over to take it.
Van Dijk is poised on the penalty spot as the ball is curled in.
It hits Bernardo Silva and goes out of play but there’s a whistle for a foul against City.
Free kick to the hosts.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:41 , Mike Jones48 mins: Already there’s a bit more aggression from Liverpool.
Szoboszlai takes down Gonzalez in the middle of the pitch.
City take the free kick quickly and find Doku. He sends it wide to O’Reilly then continues into the box.
The ball is squared but Doku’s outstretched leg can’t get on the end of it.
Second half! Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:39 , Mike JonesThe rain has been pounding down in Manchester making it a damp and dreary atmosphere.
That’s certainly how Liverpool will be feeling after that first half.
No changes from either manager at the break. City get the ball rolling once more.
HT Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:35 , Mike JonesManchester City had six shots in thet first half with four of them on target for an xG of 1.2.
That’s in contrast to Liverpool’s three attempts with none on target and an xG of just 0.14.
The big talking point though will be Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal which could have changed the momentum of the game.
HT Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:31 , Mike JonesMan City have the advantage in this match, Pep Guardiola’s 1000th as a manager.
Can they go on to win from here or will Liverpool make a comeback?
Are Liverpool out of luck?
17:27 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad StadiumLiverpool scored from a deflection last week, courtesy of a midfielder's shot from about 25 yards.
Now they have conceded in similar fashion.
After the disallowed goal, they could feel their luck is out.”
Half-time! Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:23 , Mike Jones45+7 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half and it’s Man City who have a commanding lead.
Liverpool haven’t been at the races at all and it feels like a long, long way back for Arne Slot’s side from here.
GOAL! Man City 2-0 Liverpool (Nico Gonzalez, 45+3')
17:20 , Mike JonesThere’s the second!
Liverpool can’t get the ball out of their own final third and City pen them back.
The ball comes to Nico Gonzalez just outside the box. He takes a touch and drills a low effort at goal.
The ball hits Van Dijk’s standing leg, wrongfoots Mamardashvili and finishes in the back of the net!
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:18 , Mike Jones45+2 mins: Man City have probably been the better side and another goal wouldn’t be undeserved for the hosts.
Liverpool need a reset and must get to the break just one goal down at the very least.
A City corner is whipped in by Foden and flicked on by Haaland.
The ball drops to Doke who shoots but has his effort blocked.
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:17 , Mike Jones45 mins: Seven minutes of added time to play before the end of the first half.
There’s been a few incidents all adding to that time tally.
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:13 , Mike Jones42 mins: I think Liverpool can feel hard done by with that decision.
Donnarumma wasn’t getting anywhere near Van Dijk’s effort and he had a line of sight to follow the ball the whole way.
As the law is written though Robertson was impeding so it’s been ruled out.
That decision might inspire Liverpool to click into gear though. Arne Slot meanwhile is raging on the touchline.
NO GOAL! Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:11 , Mike Jones39 mins: A VAR check hursts Liverpool.
Andy Robertson is stood close to Gianluigi Donnarumma in the six yard box.
He ducked underneath Van Dijk’s header and is judged to have been obstructing from an offside position.
Liverpool’s equaliser is chalked off!
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Liverpool (Virgil van Dijk, 38')
17:09 , Mike JonesLiverpool win a throw in deep in City’s half and send it to Szoboszlai.
He switches the play out to Mo Salah who takes on O’Reilly and wins a corner.
Salah himself trots over to take the set piece and swings the ball into the penalty area with Virgil van Dijk as the target.
Van Dijk meets it well and heads the ball into the bottom corner!
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:07 , Mike Jones35 mins: Alexis Mac Allister goes in the book for a late tackle on Doku.
City’s left winger is causing everyone problems out there. He’s strong and quick and unafraid to take players on.
It’s a great watch.
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:04 , Mike Jones32 mins: There’s a renewed confidence in Man City who are playing with verve and focus now.
Doku remains a handle but Cherki and Foden want in on the action as well when they attack through the middle.
It’s a tough period for Liverpool right now.
14th Premier League goal of the season for Haaland
17:03 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad StadiumIt felt as though Erling Haaland didn't know very much about that, but being able to score without knowing much about it is a useful skill to have.
It is his 14th goal of the Premier League season, anyway.”
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Liverpool (Erling Haaland, 29')
17:01 , Mike JonesRedemption!
The missed penalty hasn’t affected Erling Haaland.
City have been peppering the left side but this time they come down the right.
Matheus Nunes has the ball and decides to swing a cross into the box.
Haaland sets himself behind Konate, there’s a deflection but he gets a head to the ball and nods it into the far bottom corner!
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:58 , Mike Jones27 mins: Close!
Doku powers forward once more and takes on Bradley. He’s too strong for the Liverpool right-back and sits him down before spinning towards goal and firing a shot at the target.
It might be sneaking in but Mamadashvili takes no chances and pushes the effort wide.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:56 , Mike Jones26 mins: Arne Slot is the only manager in Pep Guardiola’s 1000 games to have faced him more than once and still have a 100% winning record.
That’s because Liverpool won both of their meetings against City last season.
The Reds look defensively sharp today as well - if you exclude the lapse in concentration that led to the penalty.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:55 , Mike Jones23 mins: Nico O’Reilly and Josko Gvardiol both take knocks and need a few seconds to recover.
Neither team have managed to keep control of the ball from more than a couple of minutes with the intensity heating up in the middle of the pitch.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:50 , Mike Jones20 mins: Will Erling Haaland rue that missed penalty?
Liverpool get the ball up to Hugo Ekitike who holds it up well and waits for reinforcements to arrive in the form of Andy Robertson.
He plays backwards but Liverpool spread the ball out to the right. Man City are back into a solid formation and instead of probing from the right Liverpool retreat again.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:48 , Mike Jones17 mins: Doku is the biggest threat for City.
He bombs down the left again and rolls a pass into the front edge of the box.
Rayan Cherki collects the ball and shoots but Konate manages to deflect it behind.
The resultant corner is dealt with by the Reds.
A brilliant save by Mamardashvili
16:47 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad StadiumA brilliant save by Mamardashvili.
Liverpool may feel justice was done, as contact with Doku was slight, even if the winger was going at full speed.
But Doku's early impact is interesting. Conor Bradley saw off Vinicius Junior on Tuesday but he may have a tougher task today.”
MISSED! Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:44 , Mike Jones12 mins: Erling Haaland takes the spot kick and drills it low to the goalkeeper’s left.
Mamardashvili dives the correct way and palms the ball clear!
Huge moment in the game.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:42 , Mike JonesPenalty to Man City!
11 mins: VAR sends the referee over to the pitchside monitor.
He sees contact between Mamardashvili and Doku and decides that there is enough to constitute a foul.
Erling haaland will have the chance to send the hosts ahead now...
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:41 , Mike Jones9 mins: Now then, what’s gone on here?
Doku darts past Conor Bradley and somehow gets the ball back off Konate.
He weaves into the box as Giorgi Mamardashvili dives towards the ball. There’s slight contact from the goalkeeper and Doku goes to ground.
The referee plays on and Liverpool clear their lines after two fine blocks from Dominik Szoboszlai.
This incident is going to VAR though...
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:38 , Mike Jones8 mins: Wirtz looks for space on the left but is crowded out by Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes.
City transition the ball sharply across the pitch and find Doku with space to run into.
He drives forward then laces a super pass over to Phil Foden who fails to control the ball on the edge of the box.
That could have been dangerous had Foden controlled it properly.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:36 , Mike Jones5 mins: Doku combines with Nico O’Reilly on the left wing.
The full-back makes an overlapping run to receive the ball then flicks a pass into the box.
Erling Haaland is the target but Ibrahima Konate is there to intercept and knock the ball away.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:32 , Mike Jones2 mins: Liverpool make their way forward but lose possession and City look to break quickly.
Jeremy Doku receives the ball and shimmies over to the right.
He’s tracked deep into Liverpool’s half but Florian Wirtz who, with the aid of Andy Robertson at left-back, stops the move from developing further.
Kick off! Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:31 , Mike JonesThere is a short ceremony ahead of kick off for Remembrance Day.
Military personnel and veterans are in attendance and the stadium quietens as a show of respect.
When the trumpeteer is done, Blue Moon rings out around the ground and the players are ready to go.
Alexis Mac Allister has the ball at his feet and sends it to Virgil van Dijk.
We’re underway!
Banners to celebrate Guardiola's 1000th game
16:28 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad StadiumA couple of massive banners for Pep Guardiola's 1000th game in management.
There have been more than 700 wins - but he has lost more than he has won against Liverpool.”
Man City vs Liverpool
16:25 , Mike JonesAlmost time for kick off at the Etihad Stadium.
Both these teams can close the gap on Arsenal who currently sit top of the table.
Even at this relatively early stage of the season it could be a crucial encounter to win if City or Liverpool are to challenge for the title further down the line.
Let’s find out how it’ll play out, kick off is up next...
Salah to best Rooney?
16:20 , Mike JonesMo Salah (188 goals, 88 assists) went level with Wayne Rooney (Man Utd - 183 goals, 93 assists) for goals and assists combined for a single Premier League club with his goal for Liverpool against Aston Villa .
Salah has nine goals and six assists against Man City in the competition – the most goal involvements against City in Premier League history.
Haaland to reach 100?
16:15 , Mike JonesErling Haaland has netted 98 goals in 107 Premier League appearances – if he scores a brace in this game he will become the fastest player to 100 goals in Premier League history, with Alan Shearer the current quickest to 100 in 124 games.
Can Liverpool shut City out?
16:10 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola’s City side lost both meetings with Liverpool 2-0 last season.
Only against Manchester United in 2020 has the Spaniard seen his sides go three games without scoring against a single opposition.
Set piece woes for City
16:05 , Mike JonesMan City are the only team yet to score a Premier League goal via a set piece this season, with all 20 of their goals coming from open play.
They are the first side in Premier League history to score as many as 20 goals in their first 10 games of a season without any of them being from a set piece.
Arsenal look ‘almost impossible’ to stop but have long way to go
16:00 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola admits it may seem like stopping Arsenal is “almost impossible” but is well aware titles are not won in November.
Guardiola’s Manchester City face a strong test of their mettle as they host reigning champions Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
The match is important for both clubs as they look to keep the pressure on the Gunners at the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola: Arsenal look ‘almost impossible’ to stop but have long way to go
Fortress Etihad
15:55 , Mike JonesSince the start of April, Manchester City have won the most points in the Premier League (42).
They’ve won 13 of 19 games including nine of their last 10 at the Etihad Stadium.
Positive signs for Liverpool?
15:50 , Mike JonesLiverpool put an end to their four game losing run in the Premier League by beating Aston Villa 2-0.
However, the Reds have lost their last three away from home and haven’t lost four on the bounce on their travels since April 2012 under Kenny Dalglish.
Another win for City?
15:45 , Mike JonesMan City have won 10 of their last 12 Premier League games against reigning champions.
Most recently a 4-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield in February 2021.
A big day for Wirtz
15:45 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad StadiumA big day for Florian Wirtz, who has been a substitute in the Premier League of late but whose performance against Real Madrid earns him a start against one of his summer suitors.
Man City missed out on the German, signed Rayan Cherki instead and he also starts.”
Haaland on facing Liverpool
15:40 , Mike Jones“We need to be ready because it’s not going to be an easy game,” said Erling Haaland about today’s match.
“The competition between Man City and Liverpool has been amazing in previous years – pushing each other to get better and fighting for the title.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, and we need to be at our best.”
Haaland has 'never felt better'
15:35 , Mike JonesErling Haaland feels he is in the best shape he has ever been after making a stunning start to the season.
The prolific Man City striker has scored 27 goals in just 17 appearances for club and country this season.
“It’s been a good start and I feel really good. I feel this is the best version of myself. I’ve never felt better than now.
“To keep sharp, I need to keep my mind in the right place, I need to recover well, I need to get a lot of treatment, I need to eat the right things.
“It’s staying in the zone and having that balance. It’s about maintaining the energy levels, being motivated and doing the things that are good for my body and for my brain.”
How Hugo Ekitike looks to Erling Haaland in mission to join attacking elite
15:30 , Richard JollyFor a footballer who was on loan at Vejle Boldklub as recently as 2021, Hugo Ekitike is accustomed to spending time with the world’s elite attackers.
He will share a pitch with Erling Haaland on Sunday. He has shared a dressing room with Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ousmane Dembele, Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak.
It has served as an elite education, but Ekitike is still looking and learning. Even as Liverpool seek to overcome Manchester City, Haaland can provide an example for him.
How Hugo Ekitike looks to Erling Haaland in mission to join attacking elite
No changes for Liverpool
15:25 , Mike JonesArne Slot has elected to stick with the same line-up that defeated Real Madrid during the week.
That means Andy Robertson starts at left-back and Florian Wirtz is given the nod ahead of Cody Gakpo on the left wing.
Man City team changes
15:20 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola makes three changes to the line-up that defeated Borussia Dortmund during the week.
John Stones drops out of the back line for Ruben Dias while Savinho and Tijjani Reijnders are replaced in midfield with Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki.
Liverpool team to take on Man City
15:17 , Mike JonesLiverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
How we line up to take on Manchester City ✊🔴 #MCILIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 9, 2025
Man City line-up to face Liverpool
15:16 , Mike JonesMan City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Bernardo, Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Your City line-up! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 9, 2025
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C), Foden, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Bobb, Lewis
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/YWYbutQhMj
Two in a row on the road?
15:10 , Mike JonesLiverpool won this exact fixture 2-0 last season but haven’t won consecutive away league games against Man City since a run of three between 1987 and 1991.
Man City vs Liverpool
15:05 , Mike JonesMan City lost both Premier League meetings with Liverpool last season, as many defeats as they’d suffered in their previous 12 against them (Four wins, six draws).
They last lost more consecutively against the Reds between March 2015 and December 2016 (4).
Guardiola misses battles with Klopp
15:00 , Mike JonesAs Pep Guardiola prepares to face his 1000th game as a manager he revealed that Liverpool are the best opponents to go up against but misses his former battles with Jurgen Klopp.
“If I were to choose one rival for this personal milestone, that I want to share with many people, they [Liverpool] would be the best,” said Guardiola.
“I’ve been longer than ever in this country. Of course Barcelona, the impact on my life as a ballboy, football player, manager, and so on is obvious and Bayern was an incredible step as well.
“But Liverpool, especially with Jurgen, have been the biggest rivals in this country and it could not be better, to be honest. So destiny decided that and it’s nice to live it.
“In terms of Jurgen’s side or Pep’s side, I think we respected each other. I had the feeling that Jurgen gave me a lot and I miss him.
“He gave me a lot in sense of, to beat that guy, how much I have to think and work and do it, to make it better.”
Pep Guardiola admits he misses old rival Jurgen Klopp
14:55 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola admits he misses Jurgen Klopp as he prepares to face his great rival’s old club in the 1,000th game of his managerial career.
But the Manchester City boss feels there can be no more fitting opponent than Liverpool as he reaches four figures with a visit from the reigning champions in the Premier League on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola admits he misses old rival Jurgen Klopp
Salah will be vital
14:50 , Mike JonesMo Salah’s contribution to Liverpool’s play this afternoon could be crucial if they are to defeat Man City.
Arne Slot said: "It's very important for us to have Mo scoring goals and for Mo to have played how he played against City last season where he also scored a goal and assisted and helped the team out a lot in his defensive work.”
Robertson proves worth to Liverpool
14:45 , Mike JonesLiverpool head coach Arne Slot insists age is no barrier to players' futures if they continue to contribute positively to the team.
Talk has started over the longevity of some of the Reds’ key personnel including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
"Over 30 doesn't tell me anything," said Slot.
"If I look at Virgil, Mo and Robbo, who was last season also above 30, all three of them were able to win the Premier League and all three of them played a big part in it.
"If a 24-year-old doesn't play as well, nobody talks about his age. If a 32, 33, 34-year-old has one or two bad games people start talking about age.”
Guardiola to reach 1000 games
14:40 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola will hit 1000 games as a manager with the visit of Liverpool this afternoon in what is undoubtably an incredible career.
He has won 715 of the 999 games he has overseen since first being put in charge of Barcelona B in 2007.
“The numbers are insane,” Guardiola said.
“I’m not living thinking of how many, but when you have the milestone and you read what you have done – the victories, the averages, not just in Premier League, in Champions League…
“We have done incredible things in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here. Incredible. It’s so difficult to reach it.
“If I started again I would not reach it. It’s too much games, so few defeats and hopefully on Sunday we can continue.”
Arne Slot pleads for patience with Alexander Isak in cautious injury update
14:35 , Mike JonesArne Slot has asked for further patience with Alexander Isak after admitting that the British record transfer is still “some time” away from his best.
The striker has endured a stuttered start to his Liverpool career, having scored just one goal as he works his way back to full sharpness after a summer on strike at Newcastle United.
Arne Slot pleads for patience with Alexander Isak in cautious injury update
Robertson or Kerkez
14:30 , Mike JonesAndy Robertson’s restoration to the starting line-up has brought some defensive stability to Liverpool and helped them win their last two matches.
However, he was subbed off during the win over Real Madrid and Arne Slot was unsure if the left-back would be ready to start today.
"We had recovery the day after, it was a day off and then a two-day lead-in to City,” Slot explained.
“So, let's see where he is."
Alisson and Frimpong will be absent
14:25 , Mike JonesArne Slot’s talk with the media also revealed that Liverpool will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson as well as full-back Jeremie Frimpong.
Both are absent with injuries but Slot is confident they will be back with the team by the end of November at the latest.
Is Isak ready to return?
14:20 , Mike JonesLiverpool are hopeful Alexander Isak will be available after the forward resumed training with the first time.
Isak has missed the last four games through injury and may not be up to full fitness in time for the game today.
"I know that I said three weeks ago that his pre-season has ended so now it's time for us to see where he is. But I have to come back to those words," said Arne Slot.
"But you cannot compare rehab with games of football or training sessions with the team. As much as we try to replicate it, that's simply not possible. So, again I have to say, give him some time."
Pep Guardiola provides Rodri injury update ahead of Liverpool visit
14:15 , Mike JonesManchester City are unlikely to risk Rodri in Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool, manager Pep Guardiola has said.
The Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder missed the midweek Champions League defeat of Borussia Dortmund after suffering another injury setback.
Pep Guardiola provides Rodri injury update ahead of Liverpool visit
Rodri can only play one game a week
14:10 , Mike JonesManaging Rodri’s recovery from injury has bee tricky for Pep Guardiola especially as the midfielder isn’t yet able to commit to Man City’s busy schedule.
“Rodri can play one game a week, but the problem is we play every three days and then there is the national team,” said Guardiola.
“It’s another way. Play one game a week, you recover perfectly. Problem is [when it is] every three or four days. We knew it. It was a long injury. History says the year after, you have problems.
“We tried to avoid it, but the stats say that. One game a week you recover fine, but me as a manager, [when] the doctors say he is ready, he is going to play.”
More from Guardiola on Rodri
14:05 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola was more revealing about the need to get Rodri back on the pitch as his influence is also key for players such as Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic.
“We want Rodri back as soon as possible,” said the Man City boss.
“After a while he has a setback and it’s a small thing, by now we don’t have [Mateo Kovacic] either, so we have just one holding midfielder.
“It’s massively important that he’s back. I only want Rodri to be happy. When he starts to smile again, he’s one of the most competitive players I’ve ever met and how he push his teammates is unbelievable.”
Rodri to return after international break
14:00 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola provided an update on the fitness of key midfielder Rodri and claimed he should be fit to play after the international break.
Rodri has made eight appearances for this season and was a late sub in the win over Bournemouth last weekend.
But he missed the midweek win over Borussia Dortmund and seems unlikely to face Liverpool as he works on his match fitness.
“I think we won’t take a risk ahead of the international break. We have to find the moment he feels strong and fit to sustain the actions in the game properly,” Guardiola said when asked if Rodri would face Liverpool.
“Still we are in November, and the best of the season is ahead of us and we need him. We are playing without the Ballon d’Or winner of two seasons ago and a massively important player for us.”
The champions’ dilemma that left Liverpool and Man City in the same hole
13:55 , Richard JollyThey may come to be seen as contrasting ways to lose a grip upon a title. The 2024 champions’ defence of their crown was over before Christmas, destroyed because they did too little to their title-winning team.
Their 2025 successors, their manager accepted, may have changed too much. Now Manchester City and Liverpool meet with the possibility that the loser will be 10 points behind Arsenal, out of contention before the November international break.
Champions tend to display a consistency and victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid allowed Arne Slot to smile: “We were actually very consistent (before then) but we were consistent in losing so that wasn’t the idea.”
The champions’ dilemma that left Liverpool and Man City in the same hole
Liverpool's early team news
13:50 , Mike JonesLiverpool will still be without number one Alisson meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili keeps his place in goal. Alexander Isak could make a return to the bench but is unlikely to start ahead of Hugo Ekitike.
After their fine performances in attacking midfield against Real Madrid, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz will be expected to play the same roles.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Manchester City early team news
13:45 , Mike JonesMan City were without Rodri again for the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund in midweek but could welcome the Spaniard back to the bench for the Liverpool visit. Mateo Kovacic remains out with a long-term ankle injury.
Predicted Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Silva, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
How can I watch it?
13:40 , Mike JonesViewers in the UK will be able to watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 4pm GMT. Subscribers can also watch the game on streaming platform Sky Go.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
When is Manchester City vs Liverpool?
13:35 , Mike JonesMan City’s clash with Liverpool in the Premier League kicks off at 4:30pm GMT on Sunday 9 November at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Man City vs Liverpool
13:30 , Mike JonesLiverpool will hope to be at the end of the storm as they face potential title rivals Manchester City vying to win a third game on the bounce.
Arne Slot’s side ended their rot on home soil last weekend, winning a first domestic clash after six straight losses as they beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield. They then followed it up in midweek by producing their performance of the season so far, outplaying Real Madrid in a Champions League victory for the ages.
The English champions will now look to build on such a memorable win by overcoming another heavyweight, making the trip to the Etihad Stadium to face a Man City side in stunning scoring form.
Erling Haaland has already hit 18 goals in 14 appearances this term and will be the driving force if City are to challenge early favourites Arsenal for the Premier League title.
Good afternoon!
13:18 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Manchester City host Liverpool in a huge clash which could determine who will be Arsenal’s main rivals for the title this year.
Both teams have had stuttering starts to the season (for their usual high standards) and must now chase down the Gunners who sit top of the table with a six point lead over second placed Chelsea.
City are third, seven points behind, while Liverpool trail by eight points.
Whichever side comes out on top at the Etihad this afternoon will end the weekend in second place so there’s plenty at stake.
We’ll have all the team news and latest updates throughout the afternoon so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 4.30pm.