Perfect City walk into roaring Anfield for test of nerve and title form
Manchester City walk into Anfield on Sunday 11 October 2026 with five wins from five and a guilty verdict following them through the gates.
It is first against unbeaten. It is noise, history and nerves. Kick-off is 4.30pm BST at Anfield, Liverpool's home, after the game was pushed back a day to Sunday for live television Liverpool FC.
City arrived on Merseyside as the league's pace-setters. They had won five out of five in the Premier League ahead of this match The Guardian. Liverpool were one of five sides still unbeaten before kick-off Manchester City. Something had to give.
This was also City's first game since being found guilty of more than 100 Premier League charges The Guardian. The Guardian billed its matchday live blog as "Manchester City face hostile Liverpool reception after guilty verdict". The BBC asked the same question in its preview: what reception awaits Man City at Anfield?
Expect colour. Bus welcomes, banners and flags were anticipated around Anfield for City's visit BBC Sport. Liverpool and City have traded the title back and forth in recent seasons, and Anfield on a late Sunday afternoon is always loud. Add a verdict, and the volume rises.
Team news told its own story. Liverpool were without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for the City match. Isak picked up an injury with Sweden, Gakpo with the Netherlands. Jérémy Jacquet reportedly strained a hamstring with France. All three were hurt during the October international break.
That break left its mark on both squads. Andoni Iraola is Liverpool's coach, with Enzo Maresca in charge of City. Maresca's England contingent had a heavy fortnight. Elliot Anderson and Marc Guéhi, now City players, started all four England Nations League matches alongside Harry Kane. Nico O'Reilly withdrew halfway through. Craig Bellamy leads Wales into the same crowded calendar.
Recent history favours the visitors. City beat Liverpool 3-0 in the Premier League on 9 November 2025, the game that marked Pep Guardiola's 1,000th match as a manager Reuters. Liverpool then lost 1-2 to City on 8 February 2026. The BBC served up its top five Liverpool-City moments before kick-off, a reminder that this fixture rarely sits still.
For fans, this means a proper test of where both teams stand. City want six from six and a statement that nothing off the pitch will shake them. Liverpool want to protect home turf and show their unbeaten start is real. Ninety minutes on a Sunday will not settle the season, but it will set the mood for the weeks ahead.
