Isak, Kovacic and more: Liverpool vs Man City injury news as 4 players out with 1 doubt

Anfield will breathe again on Sunday as Liverpool prepare to face Manchester City in one of the most powerful Premier League games of the season. The tension, the story, the rivalry, everything around this game feels different. It is not just another league fixture. It is the story of two giants who have been chasing each other for years, two teams who know that a single mistake can destroy everything they’ve worked for. Liverpool are walking into this game with hope, with pain, and with questions about who will rise and who will fall when the whistle goes at Anfield.

The atmosphere around Merseyside has already started to shake. Every corner of the city talks about one thing—whether Arne Slot’s Liverpool can stop Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. There are injury worries, selection doubts, and whispers about who will make it into the squad. The news that Alexander Isak could return for this game shocked everyone. The striker, who was signed to add firepower to Liverpool’s front line, has been struggling with fitness problems. But now, reports say he could make a surprise comeback. For Liverpool fans, that is more than just good news—it is a symbol of hope that their attack will once again have its full power when it matters the most.

Liverpool’s injury list has been long and painful in recent weeks. The club has fought through multiple absences, but this match is the one everyone has circled on the calendar. The latest team news reveals that Isak might be fit enough to play a role. That alone changes everything. Slot has been careful not to rush him, but sources close to the club believe he could at least make the bench. His return could give Liverpool a new dimension up front. The idea of Isak combining with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez makes every supporter dream again.

But it’s not just Liverpool with worries. Manchester City have had their own problems too. Pep Guardiola is watching his squad carefully. Kevin De Bruyne, who missed several games earlier this season, is expected to be fit and ready to lead City’s midfield. Erling Haaland remains their most dangerous weapon, already scoring goals for fun this season. But the eyes will be on City’s defense—can they survive Liverpool’s pressing? Guardiola knows Anfield is not just a football pitch; it is a storm. And when that storm rises, even the best teams tremble.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are still learning his system, but they have already shown glimpses of something special. His version of Liverpool plays fast, presses hard, and attacks in waves. The players have responded to his calm leadership and tactical intelligence. Yet this match against City is the real test of everything he’s been building. The fans want to see if his Liverpool can go toe-to-toe with Guardiola’s machine. Slot has admitted that this match is more than just three points—it is a statement of identity. For him, it is about proving that Liverpool are back, stronger, smarter, and fearless.

The predicted lineup looks strong. Alisson Becker will be in goal, as always, the wall that keeps Liverpool alive when everything else fails. In front of him, the defense should include Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has recently returned from injury and is slowly finding his rhythm again. Beside him, Virgil van Dijk remains the captain, the calm leader who has faced Haaland before and knows exactly what kind of battle awaits. Joe Gomez could start alongside him, with Andy Robertson likely returning to the left-back position if declared fully fit. That back four will have to be perfect, because City’s attack doesn’t forgive mistakes.

In midfield, Liverpool are expected to go with a trio that mixes energy, control, and creativity. Dominik Szoboszlai has been a revelation under Slot, full of energy and intelligence. Alongside him, Alexis Mac Allister could take the deep-lying role, trying to control the tempo and shield the defense. The third midfield spot might go to Ryan Gravenberch or Curtis Jones, depending on fitness. Slot has a tough decision to make there, balancing control with physicality.

The front line will be the key. Mohamed Salah is always the man for the big nights. His record against City is outstanding, and he always seems to find another level when the lights are brightest. Darwin Núñez, unpredictable and explosive, could start in the middle. His movement and aggression can cause chaos for City’s defenders. And then, there’s the big question—will Alexander Isak start? Slot might keep him on the bench and use him as a secret weapon later in the game, but if Isak starts, the energy inside Anfield will explode. That combination of Salah, Isak, and Núñez is something City’s defense would hate to face.

Pep Guardiola will not come to Anfield quietly. He knows how dangerous Liverpool can be, especially at home. His City side will likely include Ederson in goal, Kyle Walker and Joško Gvardiol in defense, with Rúben Dias leading from the back. Rodri, who has been the heartbeat of City’s midfield, will control things as usual, and De Bruyne will be the creative force trying to break Liverpool’s press. Jack Grealish and Phil Foden could start on the wings, supporting Haaland. It’s a lineup built for control, but at Anfield, control is never guaranteed.

The tactical battle between Slot and Guardiola is what makes this fixture even more special. Guardiola, the master of control and movement, faces a coach who believes in energy, passion, and collective power. Slot wants his team to play without fear, to press City high, and to use the crowd as an extra player. Guardiola, on the other hand, will want calmness, patience, and precision. It’s a battle between chaos and order, emotion and calculation.

Liverpool’s injuries have forced Slot to be creative this season. The absence of Diogo Jota and the uncertainty around Luis Díaz have made things difficult. But players like Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo have stepped up at crucial moments. Elliott, especially, has impressed with his work rate and intelligence. He could play a role again against City, especially if Slot decides to rotate or change shape mid-match. Liverpool’s strength this season has been their adaptability. They may not have the depth of City, but they have heart, and at Anfield, heart often makes the difference.

The crowd will play its part too. The sound of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” will echo around the stadium, and every Liverpool player will feel it in their bones. They know what this game means. They know what it means to beat City at home. For many of them, this is not just another game—it’s a battle for respect, pride, and momentum. A win would send a message across England that Liverpool are serious contenders again. A loss would hurt deeply, but it would not break them. Slot has built a team that fights for everything, every minute.

For Guardiola, this match is about control and revenge. City’s recent record at Anfield is not good. They’ve struggled to handle the energy of the crowd and the intensity of Liverpool’s play. But Guardiola knows that a win here would silence critics and remind everyone why City are still the champions. He respects Liverpool, but he also fears them in a way he never admits. Anfield is one of the few places that has consistently haunted him. That’s why this match matters so much.

The spotlight will be heavy on Haaland and Salah, two players who define their clubs. Haaland’s physical power and ruthless finishing have destroyed teams all season. Salah’s consistency and brilliance make him Liverpool’s most reliable weapon. The battle between Van Dijk and Haaland could decide everything. One mistake, one header, one run—it could change the game.

Behind all the noise, there’s also a personal story for Arne Slot. This is his first real Premier League title test against Guardiola. Many doubted whether he could handle the pressure when he arrived from Feyenoord. But he has quietly built a system that works, earning the trust of his players and the admiration of the fans. He speaks calmly, but his football speaks loudly. A victory over Guardiola would not just lift Liverpool—it would announce Slot as a new force in English football.

Everything about this game feels like destiny. Two clubs with history, two managers with different philosophies, two sets of players ready to give everything. The injuries, the returns, the tactical plans—all of it adds to the drama. And when that whistle blows at Anfield, the world will watch.

For Liverpool fans, all eyes will be on the team sheet. Will Isak start? Will Robertson make it? Can Salah do it again? Every question will be answered on that pitch. Slot’s decisions will be judged by millions. But one thing is certain—Liverpool will fight. That’s what they do. That’s what Anfield demands.

For City, it’s about surviving the storm, about proving that they can win even when the world is against them. Guardiola’s men will come prepared, but no preparation can fully stop the emotion of Anfield. They’ve been here before, and they know what it feels like. The pressure, the songs, the noise—it breaks teams apart. But it can also create heroes.

By the end of the night, one side will walk off the pitch proud and smiling, the other will walk off wounded and silent. But the story won’t end there. Because when Liverpool and Manchester City meet, it’s never just a game—it’s a war of ideas, of spirit, of belief. And this Sunday, Anfield will once again be the center of football’s universe, where every tackle, every goal, and every roar will write another page in one of the greatest rivalries the Premier League has ever seen.