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Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 08 – Can Liverpool Derail City’s Title Defense on Merseyside?

Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 08 – Can Liverpool Derail City’s Title Defense on Merseyside?

My Liverpool vs Manchester City score prediction is a 2–2 draw as both sides navigate crippling injury crises at Anfield. This today match prediction sees Arne Slot’s Reds, fresh from a dominant top-four boosting win, face Pep Guardiola’s title-chasers in a seismic EPL prediction. With the hosts missing defensive stalwarts and the visitors decimated at the back, tactical control will clash with chaos. Both managers must balance territorial dominance against severe squad depletion in what remains the league’s most anticipated football match preview.


Liverpool vs Manchester City Match Details at a Glance

Match Detail Information
Match Liverpool vs Manchester City
Venue Anfield
Date February 8, 2026
Time 10:30 PM (BDT) / 10.00 PM (INR)
Broadcast & Live Streaming Click here to watch the Liverpool vs Manchester City live on Sports Live Hub (SLH)

Injury News and Suspensions

Liverpool

The defending champions are facing a crisis. Alexander Isak is out until April with a broken leg, while Conor Bradley is finished for the season. Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined until August. Jeremie Frimpong and Joseph Gomez are expected back mid-February, though Gomez is a knock risk. Stefan Bajcetic faces a fitness test.

Manchester City

The visitors’ defense is reeling with Josko Gvardiol out until May and Ruben Dias sidelined until late February. John Stones and Mateo Kovacic are also unavailable. Jérémy Doku and Savinho target late February returns, while Rayan Cherki remains a doubt with a knock heading into this crucial away fixture at Anfield.


Liverpool vs Manchester City Head-to-Head Records

Matches Played 219
Liverpool Won 110
Manchester City Won 61
Tied 58
First-ever Fixture September 16, 1893
Most-recent Fixture November 9, 2025

Form Guide

Liverpool

Currently 6th, the Reds are evolving under Arne Slot by mixing traditional high-intensity pressing with a more controlled, possession-oriented structure. Despite being defending champions, inconsistency plagued their early 2026 campaign before a recent dominant victory reignited their top-four hopes. Key figures like Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah provide attacking spark, but a catastrophic defensive injury crisis remains the primary hurdle for the hosts at Anfield. Success hinges on their cohesion.

Manchester City

Occupying second and chasing Arsenal by a six-point margin, the visitors still carry championship credentials despite limited squad resources. Guardiola insists on territorial supremacy and positional interchange, though the ongoing injury crisis has disrupted balance. Haaland offers firepower and Rodri control, but the loss of key centre-backs has made them surprisingly fragile when pressed directly.


Key Battles

Virgil van Dijk vs Erling Haaland

Van Dijk remains the defensive heartbeat for the Reds, utilizing his elite reading of the game and aerial dominance to organize a makeshift backline. In Slot’s system, his ability to distribute from the back is crucial, yet he faces an immense physical challenge while protecting an injury-hit defensive unit today.

Haaland is the Premier League’s ultimate predator, thriving on the total territorial dominance established by Guardiola’s midfield. His movement and clinical finishing will target any structural gaps in the hosts’ defense. In this today match prediction, his battle with the Dutch captain will likely decide the outcome of the contest.

Mohamed Salah vs Ait Nouri

Salah continues to be the primary creative and scoring outlet for the home side, operating with freedom in the final third. His pace and signature cutting-inside maneuvers will be essential for stretching a depleted defense, especially given the hosts’ need to maximize every transition at a rocking Anfield stadium today.

Balancing adventure with responsibility will be Aït-Nouri’s biggest test, especially against the Egyptian king. Integral to City’s fluid structure, he must track back quickly and dominate wide duels to stop the home side from seizing control early.

Also read:- Brighton and Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction


Tactical Outlook

Arne Slot will likely employ a 4-3-3 that transitions into a possession-heavy block, aiming to starve the visitors of the ball. However, the defensive injury crisis necessitates a more cautious approach in wide areas. Expect Szoboszlai to drop deeper to support the build-up, while Gakpo and Salah look to exploit the space left behind by City’s adventurous, marauding defensive full-backs.

Guardiola will stick to his principles of total control, utilizing Rodri to dictate the tempo and pin the Reds back. With Dias and Gvardiol missing, the defensive line will rely on Khusanov and Guehi to manage transitions. The tactical emphasis will be on sustained pressure, using Semenyo and Silva to find Haaland in high-value scoring positions through rapid, fluid passing.


Possible Playing Squad

Liverpool XI:

Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 08 – Can Liverpool Derail City’s Title Defense on Merseyside?
Liverpool

Alisson (GK), Szoboszlai, Konaté, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike

Manchester City XI:

Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 08 – Can Liverpool Derail City’s Title Defense on Merseyside?
Manchester City

Donnarumma (GK), Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait Nouri, Rodri, Cherki, Silva, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Haaland


Liverpool vs Manchester City Today’s Prediction

This today match prediction favors a high-scoring draw given the defensive fragilities on both sides. While Anfield provides a massive boost for the Reds, City’s territorial dominance usually creates enough chances for Haaland to score. A cautious but skeptical view suggests both world-class managers might settle for a valuable point.


Liverpool vs Manchester City Score Prediction

Gakpo’s movement troubles a makeshift City backline, while Haaland’s clinical edge ensures the visitors leave Anfield with a hard-earned point in this tactical stalemate.

My call remains a 2–2 finish, mirroring the defensive uncertainty surrounding both teams. Will Haaland’s strength prove decisive on hostile ground, or can Salah rally Liverpool to a statement win? Share your thoughts below and keep following us for up-to-date stats, team news, and expert analysis.

FAQ: Premier League 2025/26

What time is the Liverpool vs Manchester City kickoff?

The match is scheduled to start at 10:00 PM IST.

Is there a live stream for the Manchester City match?

Viewers can watch the live broadcast through the Sports Live Hub (SLH) service.

Who is the most important player available for the Reds?

Mohamed Salah remains the primary attacking threat for the hosts given their current injury crisis.

 

Disclaimer: This Premier League Prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.

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