Liverpool vs. Man City: Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola Confirm Starting Lineups for High-Stakes Showdown
Arne Slot has had to shuffle his defensive lineup as Liverpool hosts Manchester City this afternoon in a 4 PM kickoff, with injuries forcing key changes in a match that could shape the Premier League title race.
Liverpool’s Lineup and Injury Woes
Fresh off a hard-fought 2-0 win over Real Madrid, Liverpool are grappling with an increasing injury toll. Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley picked up knocks in midweek that are likely to sideline them for the remainder of the year.
Alisson is still not fully fit, meaning Caoimhin Kelleher continues his impressive stint as Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper.
In defense, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez step in to replace Bradley and Konate, joining Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson at the back.
The midfield trio remains unchanged, with the ever-reliable Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister anchoring the team.
Liverpool’s attack features Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz, forming a dynamic front line.
Slot’s bench is notably thin, as injuries to Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota, along with Federico Chiesa’s incomplete recovery, have limited his options. Midfielder Trey Nyoni, fresh from playing 74 minutes for Liverpool U21s on Saturday, is among the substitutes.
Confirmed Liverpool XI
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Substitutes: Jaros, Davies, Quansah, Endo, Morton, Nyoni, Jones, Elliott, Nunez
Manchester City’s Lineup and Key Changes
Pep Guardiola has also made adjustments to his team following their shocking 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League. Most notably, he has dropped Ederson in favor of Stefan Ortega in goal.
The City defense features Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake.
In midfield, Rico Lewis, Ilkay Gundogan, and Matheus Nunes take charge, while the attack boasts Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and the ever-dangerous Erling Haaland.
Guardiola’s bench includes stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Jeremy Doku, providing firepower if needed.
Confirmed Man City XI
Ortega; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Lewis, Gundogan, Nunes; Bernardo Silva, Foden, Haaland
Substitutes: Ederson, Carson, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, De Bruyne, McAtee, Savinho, Grealish, Doku
This clash at Anfield promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Liverpool looking to maintain their league dominance and City desperate to reverse a six-game winless streak.
