Liverpool FC Afternoon Update: Anfield travel, U18s

Liverpool supporters heading to Anfield for Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester City (kick-off 4.30pm) are being urged to plan ahead, with major Merseyrail works starting on matchday.

The Northern Line between Hunts Cross and Liverpool city centre will be closed from Sunday 11 October until 6 November, with no Northern Line services to Liverpool city centre stations. Northern Line trains will run only between Sandhills and Southport, Ormskirk or Headbolt Lane. Fans coming from Hunts Cross can use replacement buses to Sandhills and then connect with the Soccerbus, or take local buses from the city centre to Anfield.

Wirral Line services will not stop at Moorfields, Lime Street or Liverpool Central and will terminate at James Street instead. The club advises supporters to get off there and use local buses or walk to connecting transport links in the city centre. Check your usual route before you set off.

Road and shuttle bus changes

Council highways work on Walton Breck Road continues until March 2027, with a single lane open and traffic running one way only, from Oakfield Road towards the city centre. The usual matchday closures now apply from two hours before kick-off until one hour after the final whistle. After the game, fans in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand can only leave by turning left onto Anfield Road, with no access to Walton Breck Road, and the taxi rank by the Paisley Gates has moved temporarily to Venmore Street. Matchday shuttle buses run from Liverpool city centre and Bootle for anyone who would rather park and ride.

Team news unchanged

The club’s team news preview confirms Liverpool must make at least two changes, with Cody Gakpo (ankle) and Alexander Isak (thigh) ruled out and Jeremy Jacquet set to be available. Federico Chiesa, who has yet to play this season, is a “maybe” according to Andoni Iraola. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees. For City, Enzo Maresca says Erling Haaland is fit and “ready for Anfield”, while Phil Foden is suspended.

U18s beaten at Stoke

Liverpool’s Under-18s lost 5-1 away to Stoke City in the U18 Premier League Cup on Saturday lunchtime at Clayton Wood. Stoke scored through Louie Bradbury, Noah Pinder and Jahdell Holgate, and Finn Inglethorpe scored Liverpool’s only goal, a header from Isaiah Garin’s cross just before half-time. The Reds are next in the group against Ipswich Town at 11am on Saturday 7 November.

Transfers, contracts and ownership

Nothing new from a reliable source. The Gilberto Mora stories, including the Arsenal offer and the earlier claim of a Liverpool bid, still come from Mexican outlets and are unconfirmed, with no official word from any club. He turns 18 on Wednesday 14 October. There is also nothing new on contracts, ownership or staffing.