Key Points
- Up to 11 players from Liverpool and Manchester City face doubts or confirmed absences ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Anfield.
- Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is a nervous wait after missing recent matches, with manager Arne Slot hopeful of his return.
- Jeremie Frimpong ruled out for Liverpool due to a muscle injury sustained against Qarabag.
- Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and Savinho remain sidelined, with Bernardo Silva a doubt and long-term absentees including Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic.
- Match scheduled for 4:30pm GMT on February 8, 2026, at Anfield, with both teams battling for top-four and title positions.
Liverpool (Liverpool Standard) February 7, 2026 – Eleven players could sit out the highly anticipated Premier League showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday amid injury concerns.
Defender Joe Gomez represents a key uncertainty for Liverpool after missing the last three matches, with manager Arne Slot expressing hope for his availability in some capacity. The clash pits two title contenders desperate for points, with predicted lineups reflecting makeshift defences on both sides.
Who Faces Injury Doubts for Liverpool?
Liverpool will be without long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, according to team news from Liverpoolfc.com. Jeremie Frimpong has been ruled out by Slot as he recovers from a groin injury picked up in the Champions League win over Qarabag.
Youngsters Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajčetić are also missing, leaving Slot with limited bench options including Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson. Predicted lineups from NBC Sports and Sports Illustrated suggest Dominik Szoboszlai continuing at right-back, with Alexis Mac Allister in midfield and Mohamed Salah on the right flank.
As reported by Ian Doyle of Liverpool Echo, Joe Gomez sustained his injury at AFC Bournemouth and the meeting with City comes too soon for Frimpong’s full recovery.
What Are Manchester City’s Injury Problems?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Jeremy Doku has missed the last two fixtures, while Savinho has not played since New Year’s Day. Long-term issues persist for Josko Gvardiol with a fracture and Mateo Kovacic recovering from an ankle injury, as detailed by the Evening Standard.
Bernardo Silva remains a doubt with a hamstring problem but may train on Saturday and feature from the bench. John Stones has returned to training after sidelining since early December, per Liverpoolfc.com reporting on Guardiola’s comments.
Will Erling Haaland Lead the Line?
Erling Haaland, rested for City’s midweek win over Newcastle, is expected to start up front after Guardiola described him as the best striker in the world. Predicted XIs from multiple outlets including NBC Sports and RotoWire feature Haaland supported by Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, with Rodri anchoring midfield.
What Do Predicted Lineups Reveal?
Liverpool’s likely 4-2-3-1 includes Alisson in goal, a backline of Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez, midfield duo Ryan Gravenberch and Mac Allister, and attack featuring Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike. City’s 4-1-4-1 prediction has Donnarumma behind Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly, with Rodri holding and forwards Semenyo, Tijjani Reijnders, Foden, Cherki and Haaland.
Both teams thrashed Newcastle recently—Liverpool 4-1 on January 31 and City 3-1 on February 4—heightening stakes for this top-four battle.
