Anfield will come alive on Sunday as Liverpool get ready to meet Manchester City in one of the most anticipated Premier League clashes of the season. The tension, the storyline, the rivalry — everything surrounding this fixture carries extra weight. It isn’t just another league game; it’s another chapter in a battle between two modern giants who have pushed each other to the limit for years. Liverpool step into this match with belief, nerves, and unanswered questions about who will seize the moment when the whistle blows.
Across Merseyside, the buildup is already intense. Every conversation circles back to one topic: can Arne Slot’s Liverpool halt Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City? Injuries, selection headaches, and uncertainty swirl around both teams. The unexpected news that Alexander Isak could return has electrified Liverpool supporters. The striker, brought in to strengthen Liverpool’s attack, has battled fitness issues, but early indications suggest he may be ready to return to the squad. For fans, it’s more than a boost — it’s a sign that Liverpool’s frontline could be restored at the perfect moment.
Liverpool have dealt with a string of injuries lately, but this match is the one everyone has been waiting for. Reports hint that Isak may be fit enough for at least a place on the bench, a development that would add another layer to Liverpool’s offensive threat. The prospect of Isak linking up with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez has reignited the fanbase’s excitement.
City, however, have their own concerns. Guardiola has been monitoring his squad carefully. Kevin De Bruyne, who missed several matches earlier in the season, is expected to be ready, while Erling Haaland continues his unstoppable form. The real question lies in City’s defense — can it withstand Liverpool’s high press at Anfield? Guardiola knows better than most that Anfield is more than a stadium; it’s a force. And even the strongest sides can crumble under its pressure.
Slot’s Liverpool are still adapting to his methods, but the signs of progress are clear. His style is fast, aggressive, and relentless. The players have embraced his calm authority and tactical clarity. But this match against City is the ultimate examination of everything he has implemented so far. Slot has said the game is more than a battle for points — it’s about identity. It’s about proving Liverpool have returned as contenders.
The likely starting XI looks formidable. Alisson Becker will take his usual place in goal, the dependable presence behind Liverpool’s back line. Trent Alexander-Arnold is regaining rhythm after returning from injury, while Virgil van Dijk anchors the defense with his experience and composure. Joe Gomez may partner him, and Andy Robertson could reclaim the left-back role if fully fit. They will need to be flawless — City’s attack punishes even the smallest lapse.
In midfield, Slot is expected to rely on a combination of creativity and steel. Dominik Szoboszlai has flourished under Slot, bringing energy and intelligence to the centre of the pitch. Alexis Mac Allister may take the deeper role, tasked with shielding the defense and setting the tempo. The final midfield spot could go to either Ryan Gravenberch or Curtis Jones, depending on fitness and strategy — a choice that will influence how Liverpool approach the game physically and tactically.
Liverpool’s attack, as always, carries their greatest threat. Mohamed Salah remains the man for big moments, consistently producing against City. Darwin Núñez, unpredictable and powerful, may start through the middle, using his movement to trouble City’s defenders. Then comes the biggest question: will Isak start? Slot may choose to ease him in, using him as an impact substitute, but if he begins the game, the atmosphere inside Anfield will erupt.
Guardiola’s City will arrive fully prepared. Ederson should start in goal, with Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, and Joško Gvardiol expected to form the defensive core. Rodri will marshal the midfield, while De Bruyne provides the creativity to unlock Liverpool’s press. Jack Grealish and Phil Foden are likely to support Haaland from the wings. City’s lineup is built for control — though control at Anfield is never guaranteed.
The managerial duel adds another layer of intrigue. Guardiola, the architect of possession and precision, faces Slot, who has built a system around intensity, unity, and fearless football. Slot will rely on Anfield’s emotion; Guardiola will try to silence it. It’s a clash of philosophies as much as teams.
Injuries have forced Slot into difficult decisions this season, with Diogo Jota out and Luis Díaz uncertain. But players like Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo have stepped up when required. Elliott, in particular, has impressed with maturity and adaptability, and could feature again depending on how Slot chooses to shape his bench.
Anfield’s atmosphere will shape the match. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” will echo around the stadium, and Liverpool’s players will feel its weight and power. They know what this fixture represents. A victory would send a message: Liverpool are back. A defeat would sting, but Slot’s side has shown resilience all season.
For City, this is about proving they can withstand the storm. Guardiola’s record at Anfield is patchy, and he knows how difficult it is to win there. But a victory would reinforce City’s dominance and quiet their critics.
Much will hinge on key individual battles — none bigger than Van Dijk vs Haaland and Salah vs City’s back line. One moment could decide everything.
For Slot, this match holds personal meaning. It is his first major Premier League showdown with Guardiola. Many doubted him when he arrived, but he has built a structure and belief that has won over fans and players alike. A victory on Sunday would mark a turning point, both for him and for Liverpool.
Everything around this match feels cinematic: the buildup, the tension, the tactical chess match, the injury returns, the emotional weight. When the whistle blows, the world will be watching.
The questions — will Isak play, will Robertson return, will Salah rise again — will all be answered on the pitch. Slot’s decisions will define the night. But one thing is certain: Liverpool will fight. Anfield demands it.
City will try to endure the storm, to show they can win in the one stadium that still unsettles them. The noise, the pressure, the energy — it has broken teams before and made legends as well.
When it ends, one team will walk off triumphant and the other wounded. But the rivalry will continue. Because Liverpool vs Manchester City is never just a match — it’s a clash of ideas, of ambition, of spirit. And on Sunday, Anfield becomes the epicentre of football once more.
