Liverpool’s striker crisis meets unbeaten City
Manchester City travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday, 11 October 2026, without three of their forwards. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo picked up injuries on international duty, and Hugo Ekitiké is out long-term. Andoni Iraola’s side are unbeaten but sixth on nine points after three draws in five games, while Enzo Maresca’s City lead the table with five wins from five. Kick-off is at 4:30pm UK time, with Chris Kavanagh the referee.
„Four games in nine or ten days now, so I think it will say a lot about us.“ – Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola
Predicted lineups: Liverpool vs Man City
Iraola confirmed that Isak (thigh) and Gakpo (ankle) will miss the game, though neither injury looks long-term. With Ekitiké out until around December, academy product Lewis Koumas is the only recognised number nine available, and Iraola said wingers who have played up front are also options. Bradley Barcola can play as a winger or striker, and Federico Chiesa is close to a return but has not played yet. Conor Bradley is a long-term absentee. City have Erling Haaland fit after he limped off on Norway duty. Phil Foden serves the last game of his ban for a red card in the Manchester derby, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly are doubts.
Liverpool Team News & Preview
Liverpool are unbeaten in the league, and Iraola pointed to a winning start in the Champions League and progress in the Carabao Cup. But the league results have been less convincing. They drew 2-2 at Newcastle and 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest, beat Ipswich 2-0 away, drew 0-0 at home to Fulham and won 1-0 at Bournemouth before the break.
The injuries hit the area where Liverpool were already struggling. They have scored seven league goals in five games, and Isak has four of them. Gakpo has three assists. Without both, Liverpool may have to use Florian Wirtz or Barcola in a false-nine role against a City defence that has conceded five goals in five games. At the back, Liverpool have been solid, with four goals conceded.
What works for or against Liverpool
- Liverpool are unbeaten in the league and have conceded only four goals.
- Isak, Gakpo and Ekitiké are out, leaving Koumas as the only recognised centre-forward.
- They have drawn both of their home league games against Forest and Fulham.
- Four games in nine or ten days lie ahead, according to Iraola.
Man City Team News & Preview
City have won all five league games under Maresca, scoring 13 goals. The results include a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace, a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and a 5-3 win over Sunderland before the break. Three of the five wins came by a single goal, so they have not always been dominant, but they keep finding a way.
Haaland has five league goals and is ready to play, according to Maresca. Rayan Cherki has three goals and two assists, and Jérémy Doku is fit again and pushing to start. Foden’s suspension removes one creative option, and Semenyo, who has three assists, is a doubt with an ankle problem. Even so, City have far more attacking options available than Liverpool.
What works for or against Man City
- City have won all five league games and scored 13 goals.
- Erling Haaland is fit and has five league goals.
- Phil Foden is suspended, and Semenyo and O'Reilly are doubts.
- Three of their five league wins have come by a single goal.
Liverpool vs Man City Odds
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Liverpool vs. Man City Form Guide
Liverpool Form, Stats & Data
Liverpool concede only 0.80 goals per game, which is why they are still unbeaten. The worry is at the other end: 1.40 goals per game is modest for a side with their ambitions, and more than half of their league goals came from Isak. Without him, Gakpo and Ekitiké, I expect them to find it hard to turn possession into clear chances.
Man City Form, Stats & Data
City score 2.60 goals per game and concede one, the profile of a side that controls most matches. Haaland and Cherki have eight goals between them, and the depth of the squad means Foden’s absence is far easier to cover than Liverpool’s injuries up front.
Liverpool vs Man City: Prediction & Betting Tip
This comes down to who has their key attackers available. City have won all five league games and have Haaland fit, while Liverpool are without the striker who has scored more than half of their league goals, plus Gakpo and Ekitiké. Liverpool have also drawn both home league games so far, against Forest and Fulham.
The strongest argument against the bet is Liverpool’s defence and the Anfield factor. Liverpool have conceded only four goals, they are unbeaten, and three of City’s five wins came by a single goal, so a draw is a real possibility. That is why I am taking Draw No Bet rather than the straight away win: a draw returns the stake, and I expect City’s attacking options to make the difference.
My main bet is Manchester City Draw No Bet at 1.65 with Winz. My correct-score pick is 1-2 to Manchester City.