Liverpool v Man City live: Premier League champions host Pep Guardiola’s title contenders in Anfield showdown | OneFootball

Close

Pep Guardiola: I will always stand up for human beings who are suffering

Liverpool host Manchester City in the Premier League this afternoon, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking to stay within touching distance of Arsenal after the Gunners’ win over Sunderland.

The rivalry between City and Liverpool has defined the Premier League title race in recent seasons and it could do so again in 2025/26, with City starting the day nine points adrift of the Gunners after last week’s disappointing draw to Spurs. The visitors know that a win at Anfield is vital this weekend if they want to keep pressure on the league leaders, though they face a difficult test as they travel to Merseyside.

The Reds have lost just one of their last 16 matches in all competitions despite a run of mixed performances, though their 4-1 win over Newcastle last week suggests that Arne Slot’s side might be close to turning a corner as they hunt Champions League qualification.

Marc Guehi insists Man City are not giving up on their bid for silverware

Marc Guehi believes Manchester City can still land the title this season as he prepares to face the club that almost signed him.

City head to Liverpool on Sunday needing a victory to arrest a poor run of form and maintain hope of overhauling Premier League leaders Arsenal.

England defender Guehi, who moved to City from Crystal Palace for £20million in January, came close to joining the Reds last summer only for a move to collapse on deadline day.

Marc Guehi insists Man City are not giving up on their bid for silverware

City head to Liverpool on Sunday needing a victory to arrest a poor run of form and maintain hope of overhauling Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Chris Wilson8 February 2026 15:00

Arne Slot admits Liverpool planning for life without Virgil van Dijk after Jeremy Jacquet signing

Arne Slot said he was delighted Liverpool managed to sign Jeremy Jacquet as he admitted they are planning for life without captain Virgil van Dijk.

The French defender has been signed for an initial £55m and will arrive at Anfield in the summer while Liverpool have also tied up deals for three other young centre-backs, in 19-year-old Noah Adekoya, 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye and 17-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

Van Dijk turns 35 in July and has a contract until 2027 but Slot believes the veteran, who has played 34 games already this season, could earn a new deal and extend his time at Anfield.

Slot admits Liverpool planning for life without Van Dijk after Jacquet signing

Slot admitted that Jacquet’s arrival was made with eye towards Van Dijk’s succession plan, who turns 35 in the summer

Chris Wilson8 February 2026 14:00

Liverpool have bought a defence for the future – but have a big problem right now

After the summer deadline day defined by the striker Liverpool bought and the defender they did not, the January transfer window ended with the centre-back they recruited and the right-back they did not.

The immediate problem for Arne Slot is that, while he acquired Alexander Isak, he is now injured and while Liverpool have just secured the signature of Jeremy Jacquet, he will not arrive until the summer. But Marc Guehi, who eluded Liverpool in September, will instead face them in the colours of Manchester City on Sunday. Lutsharel Geertruida, who excelled for Slot at Feyenoord, was targeted as an emergency addition, but it proved impossible to get him from RB Leipzig via Sunderland and he could be on the opposite side on Wednesday.

And so Dominik Szoboszlai, who played as a false nine against City a year ago, is likely to line up at right-back against them on Sunday. Liverpool have conducted their transfer business for the future, but not for the present. Slot may be one more defensive injury away from seeing Liverpool’s season condemned to disappointment. As he admitted, it is a task simply keeping his remaining options fit.

Liverpool have bought a defence for the future – but have a big problem right now

An overworked Virgil van Dijk, inconsistent Ibrahima Konate and unfit Joe Gomez sum up Arne Slot’s issue as he desperately tries to plug gaps to save Liverpool’s season

Richard Jolly8 February 2026 13:50