Confirmed Line-Ups: Liverpool vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Anfield is braced for a seismic Premier League showdown on Sunday evening as Liverpool welcome Manchester City in a contest that could tilt the balance of the title race and the scramble for Champions League places.

Arne Slot’s resurgent side swept to a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United last weekend, rediscovering their ruthless touch at the ideal moment. Yet the Reds remain under no illusions: a single misstep could still derail their top-four hopes, and the injury list has lengthened at the worst possible time. Jeremie Frimpong (thigh) and Conor Bradley (knee) join Giovanni Leoni on the sidelines, while Alexander Isak’s leg fracture keeps him out of the attacking unit.

City, fresh from a 5-1 aggregate Carabao Cup semi-final triumph over the same Newcastle opposition, travel to Merseyside with momentum in cup competition but a growing sense of urgency in the league. A 2-2 draw at Tottenham last time out left Pep Guardiola’s champions nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Mateo Kovacic remain unavailable; John Stones has resumed training but is not yet ready for a return.

With both squ stretched, the managers have unveiled their hand for the 16:30 GMT kick-off.

Liverpool Starting XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha

Manchester City Starting XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Bernardo, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Marmoush, Haaland Substitutes: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Ake, Cherki, Nico, Foden, Alleyne, Lewis

Under the Anfield lights, the stage is set for a high-stakes duel where every pass, press and tackle could echo through the final months of the campaign.