Enzo Maresca’s side look set to receive a hostile reception at Anfield, but they at least have star striker Haaland available after he was seen limping and asked to be substituted while away on international duty for Norway in the Nations League last weekend.
"He's good,” Maresca said of Haaland at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “He went to Marbella, had two or three days off, played golf, had some recovery. He's ready for Anfield.
"He's good, the players are thinking: international teams, some days off and go again. He was good."
While there was no new update on Antoine Semenyo, he did train on Thursday and starts after the injury that forced him to withdraw from the Ghana squad for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header during the extended three-week international break.
With Haaland and Semenyo keeping their places from the win over Sunderland on September 20, who joins them in attack was a dilemma facing Maresca as the fit-again Jeremy Doku remains behind former Everton winger Iliman N’Diaye.
Double boost: Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo both start for Manchester City against Liverpool
Getty
There was also a big decision to be made in midfield, with Rayan Cherki remaining in the No10 role, ahead of Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez.
Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O'Reilly, Anderson, Fernandez, Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland
Subs: Rulli, Kovacic, Doku, Reis, Gvardiol, Bouaddi, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis
Suspended: Foden
Time and date: 4.30pm BST on Sunday October 11, 2026
Venue: Anfield
How to watch: Sky Sports