Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield in Premier League Matchweek 6 on Sunday 11 October 2026, with kick-off at 16:30 BST / 19:30 EAT. City arrive top of the table with a perfect five-from-five record, while Liverpool sit sixth on nine points under new manager Andoni Iraola. The match takes place less than three weeks after the Premier League found Manchester City guilty of 114 financial charges — a verdict City are appealing.
How the two clubs stand
| Club | Pos | Pld | Pts | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 1st | 5 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Liverpool | 6th | 5 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Figures are from the Premier League official standings through Matchweek 5.
Match officials
Referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge, with Paul Howard acting as VAR, according to Liverpool FC’s official site.
The 114-charge verdict and City’s response
On 25 September 2026, the Premier League announced that Manchester City had been found guilty of 114 charges covering the period 2009 to 2018. The charges relate to counts of financial wrongdoing and failing to cooperate with league investigations, according to Goal.com. City have confirmed an appeal, Al Jazeera reported.
Manager Enzo Maresca, appointed on 29 June 2026 after Pep Guardiola’s departure, addressed the situation directly. “I am very calm, the club has been quite calm. We trust completely the club. We understand the noise, but the focus for us is what we control and we control the football side,” Maresca told Al Jazeera.
Manchester City team news
City head into the fixture with one confirmed suspension and several injury concerns, according to Sports Mole.
- Phil Foden — SUSPENDED. Foden is serving the final match of a three-game ban after receiving a red card for violent conduct in the Manchester derby against Bruno Fernandes on 13 September 2026. He will be eligible to return for City’s match against PSG on 14 October, per Sky Sports.
- Erling Haaland — doubt. Haaland asked to come off at the 67th minute during Norway’s Nations League fixture and was seen limping afterwards. He is expected to be available but had not received medical clearance at the time of reporting, per Sports Mole. Haaland leads City’s Premier League scoring with five goals through Matchweek 5.
- Antoine Semenyo — doubt. Semenyo withdrew from Ghana’s squad with a swollen leg.
- Nico O’Reilly — doubt. O’Reilly withdrew from England’s squad with a minor issue described as not serious.
Elliot Anderson, Manchester City’s club record signing this summer, adds depth to the midfield options available to Maresca.
Liverpool team news
Andoni Iraola, appointed Liverpool manager on 4 June 2026 after Arne Slot’s exit, is managing a lengthy injury list heading into the international break, according to Last Word on Sports.
- Conor Bradley — OUT. Bradley has been sidelined with a knee injury since January 2026 and is not expected back until late November.
- Giovanni Leoni — OUT. Leoni has not featured this season due to an ACL injury. He was hoping to return to team training during the international break, per Last Word on Sports, but remains unavailable for selection.
- Hugo Ekitike — OUT. Ekitike, who signed from PSG, is out with an Achilles injury and is not expected to return until approximately December.
- Alexander Isak — doubt. Isak is carrying a minor thigh complaint. Iraola described it as a “small problem” but his availability for Sunday has not been confirmed.
- Cody Gakpo — doubt. Gakpo withdrew from the Netherlands squad with an ankle issue. The severity has not been confirmed.
Most recent meeting: City’s FA Cup demolition
The most recent meeting between the sides ended in a 4-0 Manchester City victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final on 4 April 2026, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick, according to ESPN. That result will be fresh in Liverpool’s mind as they look to close the gap to City in the league standings.
A fixture shaped by two managerial transitions
Both clubs overhauled their management in the summer of 2026. Iraola came to Liverpool having built a reputation for disciplined defensive structure, and his side’s three draws in five league games reflect a team still finding its attacking rhythm. Maresca stepped into City’s role carrying the weight of the 114-charge verdict as much as the tactical challenge. The contrast is sharp: City’s early-season dominance under a manager consciously separating football from off-field turmoil, against a Liverpool side rebuilding identity under a new head coach who now faces one of the toughest possible early tests at Anfield.
Haaland’s form and City’s Ballon d’Or contenders add another layer. For context on who is in the running for the 2026 award, see our 2026 Ballon d’Or power rankings, which covers the Norwegian striker among the leading candidates.
What to watch
- Whether Haaland is passed fit in time for the 19:30 EAT kick-off on Sunday.
- How Iraola sets up without a fully fit attacking line, given doubts over Isak and Gakpo.
- City’s on-pitch response amid the ongoing 114-charge appeal — Maresca has publicly committed his squad’s focus to the match.
- Whether Liverpool’s Anfield crowd can influence the game against a City side that has not yet dropped a Premier League point this season.
Sources
- Liverpool FC official site — referee and match officials confirmed
- Premier League official — standings and international injury updates
- Al Jazeera — Maresca quote and City’s appeal confirmation
- Sky Sports — match details and Foden suspension
- ESPN — FA Cup quarter-final result
- Goal.com — 114-charge verdict details
- Sports Mole — Manchester City injury and suspension list
- Last Word on Sports — Liverpool injury updates
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