Preview: Manchester City vs Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

Almost a fortnight on from winning the EFL Cup, Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium to lock horns with Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday lunchtime.

These teams meet almost two months on from an eventful Premier League contest at Anfield where the Citizens staged a late turnaround to win 2-1, courtesy of goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland.

Match preview

Man City’s season was in danger of spiralling out of control after falling nine points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and crashing out of the Champions League to Real Madrid, but the Citizens painted Wembley in sky blue after they deservedly triumphed in the EFL Cup final.

Two second-half headers from rising star Nico O’Reilly inspired Man City to a statement 2-0 victory over Arsenal, ensuring Pep Guardiola avoids back-to-back trophyless seasons. The win also brings the Catalan’s managerial career haul to 40 major honours, a landmark total should he choose to conclude his decade-long Etihad tenure this summer.

Tricky tests against Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League are on the horizon for Man City, but their immediate focus is on facing Liverpool this weekend as they attempt to secure their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for a record-extending eighth successive season.

Indeed, Man City boast an exceptional record in the FA Cup, as they have won 19 of their last 21 matches in the competition across the last four seasons, including their 3-1 fifth-round win at Newcastle United a month ago. Their only defeats during this period were in the 2024 and 2025 finals to Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively.

The Citizens have put together a superb 17-game winning run on home soil in the FA Cup, last losing to Middlesbrough in January 2015 (2-0). Victory over Liverpool would see them surpass Clapham Rovers’ record of 17 consecutive home wins (1873-1881) to claim the longest such streak in the competition’s history.

Liverpool’s trip to Man City will mark the first game since Mohamed Salah announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after nine legendary years as the Egyptian king at Anfield.

The 33-year-old, who missed the Reds’ 2-1 Premier League loss at Brighton prior to the international break due to injury, has been advised against leaving “under a cloud” by club icon Steven Gerrard, following the attacker’s public fallout with head coach Arne Slot earlier this season.

Liverpool face at least 10 games across three different competitions before the season comes to an end, and while a top-five Premier League finish is a priority, progress in the FA Cup and Champions League will also carry significant weight in determining Slot’s long-term future on Merseyside.

Before taking on PSG in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie next Wednesday, Liverpool will test their mettle against a Man City side who have already done the league double over them this season – victory for City would make them the second team to beat the Reds three times this term after Crystal Palace.

Liverpool lost 3-0 in their last visit to the Etihad in November last year, but the eight-time FA Cup winners will take comfort from having prevailed in each of their last four away encounters with Man City in the competition (1988, 2001, 2003 and 2022).

A 3-1 fifth-round win at Wolves was recorded by Liverpool last month, and victory on Saturday would see them reach the FA Cup semi-finals for just the second time in the last 11 years and for the first time since winning the competition in 2022 under Jurgen Klopp.

Manchester City FA Cup form:

Manchester City form (all competitions):

Liverpool FA Cup form:

Liverpool form (all competitions):

Team News

Man City defender Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) remains in the treatment room, while John Stones (calf) and Ruben Dias (hamstring) will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Marc Guehi was ineligible for the EFL Cup final, but he is ready to start in defence this weekend alongside either Dias, if fit, Abdukodir Khusanov or Nathan Ake, while James Trafford is expected to begin in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

O’Reilly could continue at left-back after his EFL Cup final heroics, but Guardiola may instead recall Rayan Ait-Nouri and move O’Reilly into midfield to link up with captain Bernardo Silva and Rodri.

Haaland has contributed to three goals (two goals, one assist) in his last two appearances against Liverpool and has also netted nine times in 11 FA Cup outings. The Norwegian is expected to lead the like for City and could be joined in attack by Antoine Semenyo.

As for Liverpool, Alisson Becker (muscle), Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni (both knee) and Wataru Endo (ankle) all remain out with injuries, while Jeremie Frimpong will be assessed after picking up an unspecified problem on international duty with the Netherlands.

Alexander Isak has made a welcome return to training this week after more than three months out with a broken leg, but Saturday’s game may come too soon for the striker. Hugo Ekitike is expected to start up front regardless of Isak’s availability.

Salah is “very close” to a return and has told Slot that ‘he thinks he will be available for City’. If fit, the Egyptian will bid to become the first Liverpool player since Emile Heskey in 2000-01 to score in four successive FA Cup matches for the club.

In-form Dominik Szoboszlai – who scored a wonderful long-range free kick against Man City earlier this year – may need to fill in at right-back if Frimpong is not fit to feature, which would allow Florian Wirtz to operate in the number 10 role in front of midfield duo Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

We say: Manchester City 3-1 Liverpool

Eighteen of the last 19 meetings between Man City and Liverpool have produced two or more goals, and another entertaining contest between these familiar foes could be in store this weekend.

All eyes will be on whether Salah will be involved, but the Reds still possess several attackers capable of hurting the hosts. Nevertheless, Man City’s exceptional home form is difficult to ignore, and we are backing Guardiola’s men - buoyed by their recent EFL Cup triumph - to secure their place in the semi-finals.

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