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Liverpool vs Man City: Predicted starting 11 as Anfield seeks revenge on the charges

Find out our predicted lineup for Liverpool's clash with Manchester City on Sunday
ByBen Gray
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Carabao Cup Third Round
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Carabao Cup Third Round | Simon Stacpoole/Offside/GettyImages

The biggest game of Liverpool's season so far. The biggest game of the entire season so far. The world will be watching when the Reds face Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, the majority of whom will be willing the home side to win, in light of recent events.

Ahead of this huge game, we predict Andoni Iraola's starting lineup.

Goalkeeper: Alisson

Alisson did not go away with Brazil, instead enjoying a holiday in Venice. Thus, the 34 year old will be recharged and ready to go.


Right-back: Ronald Araújo

Ronald Araújo has very much usurped Jeremie Frimpong as the first-choice right-back, set for a fourth successive Premier League start. The Uruguayan was an unused substitute against India in Kolkata on Tuesday, thereby should not be fatigued.


Centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet

Virgil van Dijk
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Netherlands Training - KC Current Training Facility, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. - June 28, 2026 Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jay Biggerstaff | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Despite an injury scare, sitting out France's win over Belgium on Monday, Iraola confirmed that Jérémy Jacquet is fit and available. Thus, the 21 year old will continue alongside Virgil van Dijk, who started all four of the Netherlands' Nations League games, reaching 100 caps last Sunday.


Left-back: Milos Kerkez

Miloš Kerkez scored his first goal for Hungary last Friday, but was also booked in Budapest, thereby suspended for Monday's clash with Ukraine. Thus, having returned to AXA Training Centre earlier than expected, he is set to get the nod over Kostas Tsimikas.


Central midfield: Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister

Iraola has deployed pretty attacking midfield trios so far this season, but we're forecasting that he'll be a bit more cautious this time. Thus, he could deploy Ryan Gravenberch alongside Alexis Mac Allister, something the Basque coach is yet to do, after both were busy for their countries.


Attacking midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai
Aug 2, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz (7) talks with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai (8) during the first half of a friendly at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Further forward, Iraola has shown a lot of faith in Florian Wirtz, starting him as a number ten in all six Premier and Champions League fixtures to date. However, in an attempt to match Man City's midfield, we can see the German be kept in reserve, with Dominik Szoboszlai deployed further forward.


Wingers: Víctor Muñoz and Rio Ngumoha

As Iraola confirmed on Friday, neither Cody Gakpo nor Alexander Isak will be available for this clash, having picked up injuries on international duty. Meantime, both Víctor Muñoz and Rio Ngumoha won their first-ever competitive caps for Spain and England. Given the two absentees, we are forecasting starts for both youngsters.


Centre-forward: Bradley Barcola

With Isak and, of course, Hugo Ekitiké not fit, Lewis Koumas is the only natural centre-forward available to Iraola. However, he suggested during his press conference that Bradley Barcola can play as a number nine, and we think that was him giving away his plans for Sunday. Could the Frenchman score his first goal for the club from a central position?

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