Liverpool v Manchester City preview: Iraola faces his biggest test yet

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with one of the biggest fixtures of the season, as Manchester City visit Anfield for a 4.30pm kick-off.

For Andoni Iraola, it is arguably the toughest examination of his Liverpool reign so far. His side are unbeaten in the league, but a run of draws has left them playing catch-up to a Manchester City team that has made a perfect start under Enzo Maresca.

City arrive on Merseyside having won all five of their opening Premier League matches, while Liverpool have managed two wins and three draws. The visitors lead the Reds by six points heading into the weekend, which underlines how much is riding on Sunday’s encounter.

There is also an added edge to the fixture after an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League charges brought against them over breaches of the league’s financial rules. City deny any wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal, and any sanctions are still to be determined. This will be their first match since the verdict, and a lively atmosphere is expected at Anfield.

Against that backdrop, Anfield is preparing for another intense afternoon between two clubs whose rivalry has produced some of English football’s most memorable title battles in recent years.

Liverpool’s unbeaten start faces its biggest test

Liverpool’s league campaign has been steady rather than spectacular. Iraola has avoided defeat in his opening five Premier League games, but wins have been hard to come by.

The Reds began with 2-2 draws away at Newcastle United and at home to Nottingham Forest, before a 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town. A goalless draw at home to Fulham followed, and Liverpool then won 1-0 at Bournemouth in their final league outing before the international break.

The defence has tightened up, with three successive league clean sheets, but the two home draws have highlighted the need for more cutting edge in front of goal. Iraola is still waiting for his first Premier League win at Anfield.

City have enjoyed a very different start. Maresca’s side have collected maximum points and come into the game on the back of an entertaining 5-3 win over Sunderland.

Liverpool will need their most complete performance of the season if they are to preserve their unbeaten record.

Liverpool team news: Isak and Gakpo ruled out

Liverpool’s preparations have been disrupted by injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, with Iraola confirming on Friday that neither forward will be available.

“Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game. They are not ready,” he said. “Unfortunately for us, both got injuries during the international break.”

Isak picked up a thigh problem while away with Sweden, while Gakpo suffered an ankle injury on duty with the Netherlands, which Iraola put down to “a really bad tackle”. Neither injury is expected to be a long-term problem, but the timing could hardly be worse.

Isak’s four Premier League goals have been bettered only by Erling Haaland this season, and his absence leaves Iraola with a big decision over who leads the attack.

With Hugo Ekitike also sidelined, the options are thin. “A full No.9, it’s true that we probably only have Koumas right now,” Iraola admitted, pointing to 21-year-old Lewis Koumas, although he added that some of his wingers have played up front for other teams.

Bradley Barcola is one of those possibilities. The summer signing has missed a few good chances so far, but Iraola is unconcerned. “He is a top player for us,” he said. “I think he can play in any position up front. He’s a super-valuable player for us.”

Federico Chiesa is back in training after the injury he picked up in pre-season, but Iraola pointed out that he “hasn’t played any minutes” yet. There was better news on Jeremy Jacquet, who sat out France’s last game as a precaution. “He’s fit, he’s ready to go,” said Iraola.

Manchester City team news

City have a boost of their own, with Maresca confirming that Haaland is fit after he was taken off as a precaution during Norway’s Nations League defeat by Portugal. “Ready for Anfield,” was the City manager’s verdict.

They will, however, be without Phil Foden, who serves the last match of his suspension following his red card in last month’s 1-0 win at Manchester United.

Previous meetings

Recent history makes uncomfortable reading for Liverpool. City won all three meetings between the sides last season: 3-0 at the Etihad in November, a late 2-1 win at Anfield in February, when Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty settled it, and a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win at the Etihad in April, when Haaland scored a hat-trick and Semenyo added the other.

The longer view is far kinder to the Reds. City have won only three of their 29 Premier League visits to Anfield, and February’s victory was their first there in front of a crowd since 2003.

Sunday will also be the first league meeting between these clubs since March 2015 with neither Jurgen Klopp nor Pep Guardiola in the dugout. On that occasion, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool beat Manuel Pellegrini’s City 2-1 at Anfield.

The tactical battle

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Sunday’s game will be the contrast between the two managers’ approaches.

Iraola has brought an aggressive pressing game to Liverpool, and the early numbers suggest his players are responding. According to Opta, the Reds have applied high-intensity pressure to 48.9 per cent of their opponents’ touches in the opposition half this season, the highest rate in the Premier League.

City, though, are particularly well equipped to deal with that. Maresca’s side have completed 83 per cent of their passes under high-intensity pressure, the best figure in the division.

It sets up a fascinating contest. Liverpool will want to disrupt City’s passing rhythm, force mistakes in dangerous areas and use the Anfield atmosphere to their advantage. City will look to play through that pressure and exploit the space behind Liverpool’s midfield and defence.

The fitness of Liverpool’s forwards could be decisive. Without Isak and Gakpo, the Reds may find it harder to turn winning the ball high up the pitch into clear chances.

Then there is Haaland, who leads the Premier League scoring charts with five goals. Liverpool will need to cut off his supply without leaving themselves exposed elsewhere.

Key statistics ahead of kick-off

• 15 out of 15: City’s points haul from their opening five league games.
• 5: League matches unbeaten for Liverpool under Iraola.
• 5: Premier League goals for Haaland this season, the most in the division.
• 4: Consecutive home league draws for Liverpool, going back to the end of last season.

There is also a personal milestone waiting for Iraola. If Liverpool avoid defeat, he will become only the third permanent Liverpool manager, after Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, to remain unbeaten in each of his first six top-flight matches in charge.

Match information

• Fixture: Liverpool v Manchester City
• Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 6
• Date: Sunday 11 October 2026
• Kick-off: 4.30pm
• Venue: Anfield
• Referee: Chris Kavanagh
• TV: Live on Sky Sports

Final thoughts

Liverpool’s unbeaten record deserves respect, especially given the changes under Iraola, but Sunday is a considerably greater challenge than anything they have faced domestically so far.

City arrive with momentum, confidence and the knowledge that another win would strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League.

For Liverpool, the absence of Isak and Gakpo is a major setback, but there is still plenty of quality available to trouble the visitors.

Anfield has witnessed countless occasions when Liverpool have overcome difficult circumstances against more fancied opponents, and Iraola will be hoping to add another chapter to that history.

A victory would cut the gap between the sides to three points, end City’s perfect start and give Iraola his first Premier League win at Anfield. There could hardly be a better time to get it.