Premier League 26/27 · Round 6 ·
Liverpool FC vs Manchester City preview: Liverpool host Manchester City with the leaders in relentless form
Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield with both sides unbeaten after five league matches, but the visitors arrive with a perfect record and the sharper numbers at both ends. The market prices Manchester City as the away favourite, and the season's early evidence points the same way.
By 10xSharp · Published
This preview was published before kickoff. The match has finished: see the result and full stats.
Who is missing
Liverpool are without three players, all listed as injury. Defender Conor Bradley, forward Hugo Ekitike and defender Giovanni Leoni are unavailable, but none of them is among the club's leading scorers or assisters this season. Manchester City have no players on the unavailable list, so no absence removes any of their leading scorers or creators. The home side's missing names sit outside the attacking core that has carried them so far.
The attacking threats
Alexander Isak leads Liverpool's scoring with 4 goals in 5 matches, which is 57% of the team's goals in this competition. Cody Gakpo has 1 goal and 3 assists, making him the club's leading assister. For Manchester City, Erling Haaland has 5 goals in 5 matches, 38% of the team's total, with Rayan Cherki adding 3. Josko Gvardiol and Antoine Semenyo each have 3 assists, so the away side's threat is spread across more names.
Who arrives in better shape
Manchester City have taken 15 points from their last five league matches, winning all five, while Liverpool have 9 points from the same window with two wins and three draws. Liverpool's latest result was a 1-0 win at Bournemouth, and they are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions. Manchester City have won their last seven in all competitions, most recently beating Sunderland 5-3. Both sides have had 21 days since their last match.
Where they sit
Manchester City are 1st with 15 points from five matches, while Liverpool are 7th with 9 points. Liverpool have drawn both home matches and won twice away, leaving them with 2 points at Anfield and 7 on the road. Manchester City have won all three home matches and both away matches, so they bring a perfect away record into this fixture. The gap in points is six, and the visitors have won every league match they have played.
Recent history
Across the last 10 meetings, Manchester City have won 5, Liverpool 3, with 2 draws. The most recent meeting was a 4-0 Manchester City win in April 2026, though that was not in this competition. In the 8 meetings played in this competition, the pattern is similar, with Manchester City holding the edge. The average across all 10 meetings is 2.9 goals per match, and both teams scored in 50% of them.
Who carries more threat
Manchester City hold a large attacking edge. They average 2.5 goals per away match, well above the league average of 1.3 for an away side on the road. Liverpool average 1.0 goals per home match, below the league average of 1.57 for a home side at home. Across the whole season, Liverpool score 1.4 goals per match and Manchester City 2.6, so the gap is consistent. Liverpool's home sample is just 2 matches, so treat that figure as early evidence.
Who is harder to break down
Manchester City hold a clear defensive edge. They concede 0.5 goals per away match, far better than the league average of 1.57 for an away side on the road. Liverpool concede 1.0 goals per home match, marginally better than the league average of 1.3 for a home side at home. Across the whole season, Liverpool concede 0.8 per match and Manchester City 1.0, but the away side's away record is the strongest single figure here.
Who tests the goalkeeper more
Manchester City average 5.2 shots on target per match, while Liverpool average 4.4. Liverpool see more of their shots blocked, 6.2 per match against 3.6 for Manchester City. The away side also average more corners, 6.2 to 4.0, and hold more possession, 63.8% to 59.0%. The shot-on-target gap is modest, but the blocked-shot difference is clear.
When the goals arrive
Liverpool score 43% of their goals in the 46-60 minute window, their clearest scoring peak. Manchester City score 31% of their goals in the 76-90 minute window, but that share is level with their 46-60 minute figure, so their late threat is part of a wider second-half pattern. Liverpool have scored first twice and last four times, while Manchester City have scored first four times and last five times. Both sides lean heavily on the second half.
The season goal environment
Liverpool's matches have gone over 2.5 goals in 40% of cases this season, and over 1.5 in 60%. At home, their over 2.5 rate is 50%, and they have failed to score in 50% of home matches. Manchester City's matches have gone over 2.5 in 60% of cases, and over 1.5 in 60%. On the road, their over 2.5 rate is 50%, and they have failed to score in none of their away matches. Both teams' recent over 2.5 rates are 40%, with Manchester City trending colder than their season base.
What to expect
Manchester City arrive with the better form, the better attack and the better defence, and the market prices them as the away favourite. Liverpool are unbeaten but have drawn three of five league matches and scored only twice in two home matches. The visitors' away record is the strongest single signal in the preview, and their second-half scoring pattern suggests they can grow into the match. Expect Manchester City to control the tempo and create the clearer chances, with Liverpool needing a strong defensive showing to stay in it.