Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday afternoon in a Premier League contest that promises to deliver.
Liverpool v Manchester City is a fixture that many associate with the 2016-2024 Jurgen Klopp v Pep Guardiola era, a rivalry fuelled by elite football teams and extraordinary title races.
It's near impossible to imagine a world in which the Anfield crowd will not be up for it after the Citizens were found guilty of 114 charges out of the 115 brought upon them by the Premier League, and there's an expectancy that this weekend's Merseyside encounter could compare to the epic clashes that we've enjoyed over the years.
We've assembled a combined XI featuring the current crop of Liverpool and Manchester City players.
GK - Alisson
While injuries hindered Alisson's involvement in the 2025/26 campaign, there is no denying that the Brazilian is amongst the world's best goalkeepers when he is at full fitness.
The Reds have conceded just four goals so far this campaign -- to go alongside their three clean sheets -- despite having an expected goals conceded tally of 6.66, validating Alisson's effectiveness in between the sticks.
RB - Matheus Nunes
Liverpool are by no means blessed in the right-back department following Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure, while City have a number of versatile options, and it's Matheus Nunes who gets the nod.
The 28-year-old has Guardiola to thank for a position change that has seen Nunes become one of the most complete right-backs in the division, combining elite ball-carrying skills with exceptional physical attributes.
CB - Jeremy Jacquet
Jeremy Jacquet's inclusion in this team over the likes of Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov is proof of the impact that he has made since making the £55m switch from Rennes to Liverpool.
Possessing the explosive speed and physical dominance of predecessor Ibrahima Konate and the distinctive composure and ball-playing capabilities of centre back partner Virgil van Dijk, the Frenchman has all the traits to become one of the great Liverpool central defenders.
CB - Virgil van Dijk
While Van Dijk may have lost a yard of pace -- which is to be expected at 35 years old -- the Dutchman has shown very few signs of regression this campaign.
Andoni Iraola's intense style of football may eventually catch up with the Liverpool captain, but he's so far had no issues adjusting and continues to play at an exceptionally high level that for most defenders would be their peak.
LB - Nico O'Reilly
Josko Gvardiol is perhaps unfortunate to miss out after being preferred to Nico O'Reilly in the early stages of Enzo Maresca's reign, but we simply can't overlook the impact that the England international has had since being deployed at left-back.
O'Reilly has transitioned seamlessly from his natural upbringing as a central midfielder, still able to utilise the same box-crashing skills from left-back and bringing size and techincal security to the back line.
CM - Elliot Anderson
Living up to a £116m price tag is difficult -- ask Florian Wirtz -- but the biggest compliment that you can pay Elliot Anderson is that he has not looked out of place in a City side littered with quality.
He has made the centre midfield spot his own instantaneously, and his complete skillset will continue to aid Maresca's side as they look to bridge the gap on Arsenal.
CM - Enzo Fernandez
Alexis Mac Allister is unfortunate to miss out after an impressive start to the 2026/27 term, but it's his Argentina teammate Enzo Fernandez who earns the second centre midfield spot.
The 25-year-old will know that he'll have to perform at a more consistent level to repay a joint all-time Premier League record transfer fee, but he's enjoyed a fruitful start to life in light blue, demonstrating his audacious yet creative style of play when scoring a direct free-kick to open his City account against Sunderland.
RW - Rayan Cherki
Boasting flair and unpredictability in abundance, Rayan Cherki is a dying breed of footballer.
The Frenchman's ability to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League was questioned with joining from Lyon in the summer of 2025, but he enjoyed a striking debut campaign for Manchester City and has continued to impress so far this term -- recording five goal contributions in as many top-flight games.
AM - Dominik Szoboszlai
The harsh truth is that Liverpool's standards were on the floor last season, and so to rise above teammates wasn't necessarily difficult. Dominik Szoboszlai rose above the rest, and some more.
Winning the Reds' Men's Player of the Season award with over two-thirds of supporter votes, the Hungarian was amongst the league's best performers last campaign -- recording 13 Premier League goal contributions and spearheading Liverpool to UEFA Champions League qualification, despite an underwhelming season under the stewardship of Arne Slot.
LW - Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola has only shown glimpses of his supreme ability in the short time that he has been in the Premier League, but his capabilities are there for all to see and Iraola will hope that his quality shines through in the coming weeks and months.
Antoine Semenyo and Cody Gakpo -- who have both enjoyed productive starts to the term -- are unlucky to miss out, but it's impossible to look past the back-to-back UEFA Champions League winner.
ST - Erling Haaland
A firing Alexander Isak gets into most teams in world football, but there is no room for the Swede when his competition is Norwegian brute Erling Haaland.
Despite joining the Manchester-based outfit less than four years ago, Haaland is already regarded as one of the most prolific strikers that England has seen, and he's shown few signs of slowing down at any stage.
