Liverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League result, match stream and latest updates today

Liverpool vs Manchester City – LIVE!

Liverpool took further control of the Premier League title race with a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield, making it seven games without a victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. Cody Gakpo opened the scoring from close range after a brilliant ball across the face of goal from Mohamed Salah, as Liverpool threatened to run away with it in the opening stages.

Virgil van Dijk hit the post with a header and then nodded wide from a corner shortly after, while Gakpo blasted over as City found themselves unable to cope with the relentless wave of Liverpool attacks. The visitors at least kept the deficit down to one heading into half-time, and for much of the second period it was a more even counter, City still in with a shout of taking something from the match and earning a result that could have turned their form around.

But with just over ten minutes remaining, City made a mess of things at the back and could not recover. Stefan Ortega, in goal in place of the dropped Ederson, charged off his line and wiped out Luis Diaz, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Mohamed Salah missed a penalty in midweek against Real Madrid but no mistake here, whipping the spot-kick into the bottom corner to seal victory.

Liverpool vs Man City latest news

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19:29 , Matt Verri

Liverpool took further control of the Premier League title race with a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield, making it seven games without a victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring from close range after a brilliant ball across the face of goal from Mohamed Salah, who would later put the match to bed from the penalty spot, as Liverpool threatened to run away with it in the opening stages.

Virgil van Dijk hit the post with a header and then nodded wide from a corner shortly after, while Gakpo blasted over as City found themselves unable to cope with the relentless wave of Liverpool attacks.

The visitors at least kept the deficit down to one heading into half-time, and for much of the second period it was a more even counter, City still in with a shout of taking something from the match and earning a result that could have turned their form around.

But with just over ten minutes remaining, City made a mess of things at the back and could not recover. Stefan Ortega, in goal in place of the dropped Ederson, charged off his line and wiped out Luis Diaz, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.

Mohamed Salah missed a penalty in midweek against Real Madrid but no mistake here, whipping the spot-kick into the bottom corner to effectively seal victory.

Read our full report here

Salah aims dig at Carragher

18:29 , Matt Verri

Mohamed Salah aimed a dig at Jamie Carragher after he was accused of being “selfish’ for his comments over a new Liverpool contract.

The Liverpool star’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he has been vocal in his desire to be offered a new contract, revealing after last week’s win over Southampton that he was disappointed at the club for not opening talks.

Carragher questioned the timing of Salah going public with his frustration ahead of games against Real Madrid and Manchester City, both of which Liverpool have gone on to win.

Salah scored a penalty in the 2-0 victory over City at Anfield on Sunday and was named player of the match, having also provided the assist for Cody Gakpo’s opener.

Virgil van Dijk had also been in the running for the award, having impressed at the back. He was interviewed post-match alongside Salah and asked who had decided to name the Egyptian as player of the match.

Told it was Gary Neville, Van Dijk turned to Salah and joked: “Well done, I’m surprised that Carra didn’t give it to you.”

Salah responded: “Oh he wouldn’t. Never. He wouldn’t give it to me. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Van Dijk added: “No, we don’t listen to any of that.”

Salah’s post-match thoughts

18:14 , Matt Verri

The Liverpool star again references his contract uncertainty, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

He says: “Honestly it’s in my head. Until now this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool so I was just going to enjoy it.

“The atmosphere was incredible so I will enjoy every second here. Hopefully we just win the league and will see what will happen.”

New low…

18:07 , Matt Verri

Man City have problems. Big, big problems.

Guardiola doubling down!

17:59 , Matt Verri

Pep Guardiola put the six fingers up to the Liverpool fans and he does the same to the away end after the match.

Making sure everyone remembers how many times he’s won the Premier League…

FT: Liverpool 2-0 Man City

17:55 , Matt Verri

Liverpool 11 points clear of Man City!

Another superb performance from the Reds, they were far too good for City today.

It’s seven matches without a win for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Liverpool 2-0 Man City

17:52

90+2 mins: Elliott makes his return from injury, replacing Diaz for the final couple of minutes.

Liverpool look capable of scoring a third here, City desperate for the final whistle.

Nunez clean through, Ortega denies him… offside flag up anyway.

Liverpool 2-0 Man City

17:50 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Liverpool in again, Walker has been so shaky in defence.

Jones tries to whip an effort in at the near post, Ortega turns it behind for a corner.

Five minutes added on.

Liverpool 2-0 Man City

17:47 , Matt Verri

87 mins: “Sacked in the morning” is the chant from the Liverpool fans. Just what Guardiola needs right now.

Liverpool still working so hard off the ball, City don’t look like making anything happen.

Guardiola now with a smile to the supporters as the chants continue. And six fingers up to the fans!

Liverpool 2-0 Man City

17:43 , Matt Verri

83 mins: MASSIVE SAVE!

Well that could really have changed things.

Van Dijk trips on the ball, De Bruyne is clean through. Tries to slide it under Kelleher, but the goalkeeper makes a superb stop and falls on the ball.

Liverpool 2-0 Man City

17:42 , Matt Verri

82 mins: It will not surprise you to hear the Liverpool fans are up and about, huge roar greeting every challenge.

Dias tries his luck from 30 yards out… it barely makes it to Kelleher.

Liverpool 2-0 Man City

17:40 , Matt Verri

80 mins: Grealish and De Bruyne are on for Man City, who need something extraordinary if this is to be turned around.

Silva and Salah have to be pulled apart, City heads running hot.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Man City | Mohamed Salah 77′

17:37 , Matt Verri

Not sure why City are protesting this. Ortega got nowhere near the ball and cleaned Diaz out. As obvious a penalty as you’ll ever see.

Salah missed in midweek against Real Madrid. Can he put this match effectively to bed?

Yes he can! No mistake this time from the spot.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:35 , Matt Verri

75 mins: In fact Quansah has gone out to right-back, Gomez staying in the centre alongside Van Dijk. Tough test for Quansah against Doku.

Dias gets himself into an almighty mess at the back, Diaz pounces… PENALTY!

Ortega came flying out and he’s brought Diaz down.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:33 , Matt Verri

72 mins: This will only add to the pace and threat of Liverpool on the counter.

Gakpo off, Nunez on for the final 20 minutes or so. Alexander-Arnold also replaced, Quansah on in his place. Imagine Gomez will shift to right-back.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:31 , Matt Verri

71 mins: City are starting to really believe they can get something from this, you feel. Doku looks really dangerous.

Savinho dinks in a cross from the other flank, Gomez there in front of Haaland. Man City striker not getting a sniff.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:29 , Matt Verri

69 mins: So good from Doku, twists away from Alexander-Arnold and the right-back doesn’t know where he is.

But Van Dijk clears, yet again, and Liverpool can break. Gakpo goes for maximum power with the shot from 20 yards out, straight at Ortega.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:26 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Liverpool need to take one of these chances on the counter.

Salah free on the right, lays it back for Alexander-Arnold and it’s another massive chance. Ortega makes a good save.

Wouldn’t have counted anyway, offside flag is up.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:24 , Matt Verri

63 mins: Man City lose it in midfield, Salah can pounce and drive at the defence.

Goes by himself, into the box and slices an effort wide from 20 yards out. Desperate as ever to get himself on the scoresheet.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:22 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Van Dijk forced to burst into top gear, as Akanji floats the ball over the top.

Haaland had spun Gomez, but Van Dijk gets back and volleys the ball away to safety.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:20 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Doku drives into the area, his shot is blocked. Foden then can’t quite glide through the red shirts.

Liverpool being pinned back slightly in front of the Kop. City are in this match with 30 minutes to go, despite what we’ve seen for most of the match.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:18 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Guardiola does now turn to his bench.

Savinho and Doku are on, Gundogan and Nunes making way. Much more pace to this City side all of a sudden.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:16 , Matt Verri

56 mins: HUGE MISS!

Has to be 2-0. Silva with a dreadful pass, Salah pounces and he’s clean through on goal.

Ortega basically sits down, Salah looks to lift it into the top corner… over the bar. Massive moment.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:15 , Matt Verri

55 mins: City are showing much better signs. Liverpool fans respond by turning up the noise.

Walker’s cut-back picks out Silva, he dances to the byline but can’t keep it in play as he dinks the ball up and over the bar.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:14 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Foden briefly thinks he’s in down the left, but Robertson and Szoboszlai are both there to slam the door shut.

Surely some combination of Doku, Grealish, Savinho and De Bruyne will be brought on soon.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:11 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Stunning pass from Robertson, Gakpo in on goal but Nunes tracks the run and slides in brilliant to block the shot.

Alexander-Arnold takes the corner, Van Dijk is winning absolutely everything. Flicked onto the roof of the net.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:10 , Matt Verri

50 mins: City corner, they have been better since the restart.

Gundogan swings it in, Van Dijk once again there to stop Akanji getting a header at goal.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

17:07 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Less pace to the match in the opening couple of minutes, which is suiting Man City.

They’re knocking the ball around comfortably, Liverpool happy enough to let them have it at the back.

Pinged out over the top to Walker, who is about three miles offside.

Back underway!

17:05 , Matt Verri

Up and running in the second-half.

No changes at the break from either side. That’s a bold call from Guardiola.

Man City toothless

16:59 , Matt Verri

Can’t be long until Guardiola changes things.

De Bruyne, Doku, Savinho and Grealish all on the bench – City need something in attack.

They have not troubled the Liverpool defence at all.

The difference at half-time…

16:54 , Matt Verri

Just the one goal for Liverpool, despite their dominance.

Sensational from Salah, Gakpo on hand at the back post to turn it in from a couple of yards out.

HT: Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:50 , Matt Verri

That’s half-time at Anfield.

Liverpool have been largely brilliant, full of energy and intensity. Gakpo’s goal gave them a deserved lead and there could have been two or three more.

Man City a mile off their best… again. Haven’t looked like scoring, a mess at the back. Not an ideal combination.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:48 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: Referee goes back to book Akanji, having played advantage after he took out Gakpo.

Liverpool corner, their fifth of the match. Van Dijk has looked like scoring from most of them.

This one doesn’t come to him, worked to Alexander-Arnold instead. Ballooned over from 25 yards out.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:46 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Three minutes at half-time.

Liverpool breaking into the space, Diaz tries to switch it out to Salah but Ake sees it coming and intercepts.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:45 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Salah decides to try and award a free-kick to himself, hopping away after claiming he’d been caught from behind.

Then continues hopping in fury as play is waved on. Assistant was about three yards away from him and didn’t see anything.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:43 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Van Dijk has been too good for Haaland so far, Man City striker is losing the ball on the rare occasions he does get it.

Not many in a City shirt having much fun out there. Nunes and Lewis as the wingers isn’t working at all.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:40 , Matt Verri

39 mins: A shot for City!

Their first of the match. Decent chance, too.

Haaland lays it off to Lewis, he drives into the box and tries to poke it into the far corner. Scuffed a couple of yards wide.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:39 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Appeals for a Liverpool penalty, swiftly waved away.

It’s another great ball from Salah, swung with the outside of his boot into the path of Diaz.

Heavy first touch, he then topples over under pressure from Walker. Referee not interested.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:37 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Gravenberch got away with one earlier – never getting away with this.

Foden with a lovely flick and Gundogan is away for City on the counter, until Gravenberch shoves him over from behind.

Booking for the Dutchman.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:35 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Just wide!

Corner drops for Alexander-Arnold, just outside the area.

First touch is perfect, second touch is a shot that is pulled just beyond the near post. Not far away at all.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:34 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Yellow card for Foden, who got turned by Gravenberch and dragged him back. Easy one for the referee.

Gomez fires a brilliant long ball out to Salah, who is one-on-one with Ake again. Has to settle for winning another corner.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:32 , Matt Verri

31 mins: But here come Liverpool again.

Gravenberch too strong for Foden, ball worked out to the right and Alexander-Arnold has so much space.

Lets fly from 25 yards out, charged down. Looked like that would have caused Ortega a real problem.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:31 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Liverpool sitting off for now, City have seen nearly all of the ball in the last five minutes or so.

Would say the hosts still look comfortable, and are carrying a real threat on the counter.

That City midfield is not looking like they’re going to offer much protection.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:28 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Akanji stands up a cross to the back post, Haaland ready to throw himself at it but Van Dijk is there to flick a header away.

Visitors have definitely settled down.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:27 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Haaland with I think his first touch of the match, as Akanji slides it into his path.

Tries to cut inside, but Van Dijk sticks a leg out and the chance goes.

Just a couple of signs that City might be starting to get themselves into this match and waking up, from the lowest of low bars.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:25 , Matt Verri

24 mins: City keeping the ball for pretty much the first time… but they very nearly make a mess of it at the back.

Walker with a strange header, Robertson nearly in but City get away with it.

Nunes has a run at Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool man up to the task and wins it back. Nunes runs after him and slides in, doesn’t get the ball. Yellow card.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:23 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Here we go again, Robertson this time charging away down the left. Three to pick out in the middle, Lewis gets back to block the cross.

Another corner – City might want to have a go at marking Van Dijk.

He’s stood at the back post on Walker, Alexander-Arnold’s ball in for once isn’t particularly good and City can deal with it.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:20 , Matt Verri

20 mins: You will not see a more one-sided match than this!

City robbed in their own half, Diaz slides it through to Alexander-Arnold.

Onto his left foot in the box, rolls into the path of Gakpo and he blasts over. Another huge chance.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:20 , Matt Verri

19 mins: It’s 1-0 going on 6-0.

Another corner, another Van Dijk chance. Nobody particularly marking him, gets up and nods wide from six yards out. Should have scored.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:19 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Stunning pass from Alexander-Arnold, pinged over the top and Salah is charging after it.

Gets there before Ake, who has to slide in to poke it behind for a corner.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:17 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Foden fine to continue. Few City players were having long chats during that break in play, trying to sort things out at the break.

They can’t keep the ball for more than a few seconds, Liverpool swarming them.

Liverpool 1-0 Man City

16:15

14 mins: Foden left in a heap, after Gravenberch catches him.

He’ll need some treatment and Man City players get a chance to breathe for the first time in 14 minutes.

They have been battered so far. So good from Salah for that goal, perfect ball in and Gakpo couldn’t miss.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City | Cody Gakpo 12′

16:13 , Matt Verri

THERE IT IS!

It was inevitable, Liverpool have been absolutely rampant and now they have the goal to show for it.

Salah across the face of goal from a tight angle, Ortega gets a slight touch but Gakpo is following in to bundle home from close range.

Liverpool 0-0 Man City

16:12 , Matt Verri

12 mins: OFF THE POST!

The goal is coming. Corner taken short, eventually clipped to the back post and Van Dijk gets up, powering a header off the woodwork.

Liverpool 0-0 Man City

16:12 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Diaz looks really sharp through the middle.

Long ball forward, Walker and Dias leave it for each other, Liverpool forward not far away from charging straight through.

Hosts stay on the attack, Szoboszlai with another effort and Ortega can only shovel it away.

Alexander-Arnold wins a corner… one-way traffic continues.

Liverpool 0-0 Man City

16:10 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Diaz and Gakpo very nearly in again, this City defence are hanging on for dear life. Ake then charges down a shot from Szoboszlai.

Well, the good news for Guardiola is that it’s 0-0.

That’s the end of the good news.

Liverpool 0-0 Man City

16:08 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Relentless pressure – City cannot get out.

Szoboszlai with a shot this time, got it stuck under his feet though and it’s a comfortable save for Ortega.

Liverpool 0-0 Man City

16:07 , Matt Verri

6 mins: It’s all Liverpool at the moment, City have barely had a kick.

Szoboszlai drills it low into the box, half an appeal from Diaz for a penalty but even he didn’t believe that.

Liverpool 0-0 Man City

16:05 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Great save!

Big chance for Liverpool, as Diaz plays Gakpo clean through on goal.

Takes a while to get the shot away, chopping inside and eventually he forces Ortega to tip it behind.

Offside flag up anyway.

Liverpool 0-0 Man City

16:03 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Liverpool have already gone long a few times, not really trying to play through the City press in the early minutes.

Salah has his first chance to run with it, inside onto his left foot and the whipped cross is through everyone and out of play.

KICK-OFF!

16:01 , Matt Verri

Up and running!

Man City win the toss and have switched ends, so Liverpool will attack the Kop in the first-half.

15:58 , Matt Verri

Huge roar as the teams walk out. Brilliant atmosphere, as you’d expect.

Liverpool swatted aside Real Madrid in midweek. Could take a major step towards the title over the next week – Man City today, away trips to Newcastle and Everton next up.

Win all of those and the expectation will rise massively.

Here we go!

15:55 , Matt Verri

Teams are in the tunnel at Anfield.

Liverpool absolutely flying, Man City in no form at all… everything points to a home win.

But City surely have to come good at some point. A win today and everything completely turns around.

Slot: We’ll have to wait and see

15:49 , Matt Verri

Arne Slot has been asked what he is expecting from Manchester City this afternoon, after seeing that lineup.

“They like to have control, they like to have the ball,” Slot said.

“They like to dominate possession. Maybe the only difference is you normally see wingers, and now no wingers are playing or other type of wingers are playing from the side.

“We have to wait and see in the first few minutes if they’ve changed anything in terms of formation, but the idea about football has always been the same for Pep.”

Not long now!

15:42

Kick-off just under 20 minutes away at Anfield…

Elsewhere in the Premier League

15:36 , Matt Verri

Full-time in today’s three early kick-offs.

Manchester United have hammered Everton 4-0 in Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League match at Old Trafford decent start.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are level on points with Arsenal in second after cruising to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

Tottenham could not back up last weekend’s stunning win over Man City, they’ve been held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Fulham.

Ederson decision explained…

15:25 , Matt Verri

More now from Pep Guardiola, who has been speaking ahead of kick-off.

He was asked about the decision to drop Ederson and start Stefan Ortega in goal this afternoon.

“We just wanted to change something,” Guardiola said.

“Eddy has saved a lot of goals for us. He’s saved 1v1s many, many times, but I decided to pick Stefan today.

“Both are incredibly top goalkeepers, they’re both incredible with their feet and in 1v1s.”

Guardiola: Liverpool have my respect

15:17 , Matt Verri

Pep Guardiola believes there are plenty of similarities between this Liverpool side and Jurgen Klopp’s teams, warning his Man City players that they must be ready for the pace of the Reds’ forwards players.

The City boss said: “It’s really good. Maybe more positional game but the transition from Jurgen always is there. Every corner or free-kick for you is a transition for them.

“How quick they are and the weapons that they have up front, always have been there. It was Mane, Firmino, always Mo Salah, now it’s Jota, Nunez, Luis Diaz too.

“You know the opinion I have and the respect. We fought the biggest battles in my time here.

“Always I have a big consideration for this club and nothing changes. They’re doing well, they’re so stable and really good but that’s good we’ll learn from that.”

In the building!

15:08 , Matt Verri

Liverpool arrived at Anfield a little earlier this afternoon…

Chance for either to make a big statement…

15:02

If Liverpool win this afternoon, they will once again move nine points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

It would also leave them 11 points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side after only 13 matches – incredible start to life under Arne Slot.

Man City know they cannot afford to lose. A draw and the gap will stay at eight, but a win here at Anfield will get them to within five points of Liverpool.

Then it really would be game on.

Changes from both!

14:52 , Matt Verri

Gakpo does indeed start for Liverpool through the middle, with Nunez on the bench.

Man City team news

14:47 , Matt Verri

Man City XI: Ortega, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Lewis, Gundogan, Nunes, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland

Subs: Ederson, Carson, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Gvardiol, Savinho, O’Reilly, McAtee

Liverpool team news

14:46

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Subs: Jaros, Davies, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Quansah, Morton, Nyoni

Stand by…

14:40 , Matt Verri

All the team news coming up from Anfield in the next five minutes or so.

Sounds like there are a couple of changes for Liverpool on top of the enforced ones at the back.

Cody Gakpo could well be leading the line this afternoon, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah either side of him.

Frustration for Guardiola

14:30 , Matt Verri

Five defeats in a row in all competitions… and then this on Tuesday night.

Man City were 3-0 up against Feyenoord and seemingly well on their way to a much-needed return to winning ways.

But Pep Guardiola’s side fell apart in the closing stages, as Feyenoord came away from the Etihad with a point.

Guardiola was left clawing at his own face…

Beginning of the end for Walker?

14:21 , Matt Verri

The name of Kyle Walker’s weekly podcast on BBC Sounds is a nod to his reputation as one of Europe’s quickest defenders: ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’.

Unless, that is, you are Adama Traore or Timo Werner, who have both beaten the Manchester City captain with apparent ease in recent weeks.

Traore left Walker for dead in a straight sprint from the halfway line during City’s 3-2 win over Fulham in October (only to fluff his finish), while Werner breezed past him to set up Tottenham’s fourth goal last Saturday, which extended the champions’ remarkable losing streak to five matches.

Walker used to deal with even the top-flight’s fastest forwards but the 34-year-old has lost a crucial yard this season, which appears to have taken him by surprise.

This is not to mock or dismiss Walker, who is among the many City players to suffer from injuries this term, but age catches up with the best of us, and you wonder if he is finally coming to the end of a sustained period as the Premier League’s foremost flying full-back

Read more on that here!

Huge afternoon ahead!

14:12

The fans are starting to arrive at Anfield…

Standard Sport prediction

14:05 , Matt Verri

While City’s slump surely cannot continue for much longer given the quality available, Liverpool will be licking their lips.

Boasting a good record against their rivals at Anfield anyway, a home win looks the most likely outcome.

Liverpool to win, 3-1.

Man City team news

13:54 , Matt Verri

Manchester City hope to today welcome Ruben Dias back

The defender returned to the bench for Tuesday’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League as the crisis continued for Pep Guardiola.

Dias could offer City some welcome defensive cover. Guardiola has admitted his team are “fragile” and the Portugal international has missed the last three games, so his return should help shore things up.

John Stones is a major doubt after missing the Feyenoord game, while Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb and Rodri are long-term absentees.

Such is the importance of the game, perhaps Kevin De Bruyne could be afforded his first start in weeks after making cameo appearances off the bench recently. Jeremy Doku remains a doubt, too.

Speaking before the game, Guardiola refused to be drawn on the chances of welcoming injured players back.

“We’ll see today. Today we will see,” he told a press conference on Friday.

Man City predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Liverpool team news

13:47 , Matt Verri

Liverpool have lost Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley to injury for a number of weeks.

The duo both sustained knocks during Wednesday’s 2-0 over Real Madrid in the Champions League as their remarkable start to the season continued.

Konate appeared to have been in significant pain when requiring treatment at the end of the victory over the European champions, and has reportedly been ruled out for the rest of the year, while Bradley had to come off towards the end of the game itself and is now also not expected to return before 2025.

“It is never a good sign if players,” revealed the Reds boss on Thursday.

“Conor, I had to take him off and Ibou didn’t walk off the pitch as he should have after such a fantastic game that he played. He should have made a round [of the pitch] and clapped the fans but unfortunately he couldn’t so that’s not a good sign.”

Slot, however, has been handed a boost in regards to vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Federico Chiesa and Alisson Becker are not expected to be involved for the visit of the champions, who trail Liverpool by eight points.

Liverpool predicted lineup: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz, Nunez

How to watch Liverpool vs Man City

13:39 , Matt Verri

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts after Chelsea’s clash with Aston Villa, which kicks off at 1.30pm GMT.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us!

Good afternoon!

13:33 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs Manchester City!

It’s a huge afternoon in the Premier League, as Liverpool look to take further control of the title race and City attempt to put an end to their miserable run of form.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4pm GMT from Anfield!