The FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, April 4, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the season. With both teams vying for silverware on multiple fronts, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they clash in Manchester at 12:45 p.m. BST (6:45 a.m. CT), with live coverage available on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, ESPN, fuboTV, and Sportsnet channels across the globe.
This match marks a significant chapter in Liverpool’s campaign—and in the storied career of Mohamed Salah—as the Egyptian star embarks on his farewell tour with the club. Salah, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, is determined to add another trophy to his collection before departing Anfield for good. The Reds’ hopes of a triumphant send-off for Salah now rest on the FA Cup and a daunting Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain later this month.
Manchester City, meanwhile, arrive in formidable form, having recently lifted the Carabao Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory over Arsenal before the international break. Pep Guardiola’s side sits second in the Premier League, hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal, and still dreams of a domestic treble. The Citizens’ relentless pursuit of trophies has become a hallmark of the Guardiola era, and another deep run in the FA Cup could see them set a new record with an eighth consecutive semi-final appearance.
The confirmed starting line-ups reflect both teams’ ambitions and current realities. For City, James Trafford starts in goal, with a backline featuring Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, and O’Reilly. The midfield is anchored by Rodri and Bernardo, while the attacking quartet of Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, and the prolific Erling Haaland promises plenty of firepower. Notably, Ruben Dias and John Stones are missing due to injury, forcing Guardiola to shuffle his defensive options. Marc Guehi replaces Nathan Ake as the only change from the Carabao Cup final lineup.
Liverpool’s starting eleven sees Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, stepping in for the injured Alisson, who is sidelined with a muscle problem. The defense is comprised of Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, and Kerkez, while the midfield trio features Gravenberch, Jones, and Szoboszlai. Up front, Salah is joined by Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s current leading Premier League scorer with 11 goals this season. Joe Gomez starts at right back, and Curtis Jones comes in for Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Alexander Isak, who only recently resumed training after a lengthy injury lay-off, is not included in the squad—a decision explained by head coach Arne Slot, who said, “We came to the conclusion that it was better for him to have a few more sessions than only one or two and then immediately jump into a game like this.” Slot remains hopeful Isak will be available for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against PSG.
The build-up to this clash has been colored by the recent history between these two giants. Liverpool have already lost twice to Manchester City in the Premier League this season, including a dramatic 2-1 defeat at Anfield. That stinging loss remains fresh in the minds of the Reds, who are out for revenge and determined to prove their mettle on the road. Head coach Arne Slot acknowledged the challenge, stating, “I think we have felt this season multiple times how important it is to get a lead, we have struggled with that. It’s much easier than being 1 or 2-0 up. Scoring goals is vital, so I am happy Alex [Isak] is back. We have more fans than normal because it is FA Cup and I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re louder than them! We have proven that we have quality and are a good team. We played much better against Man City at home, we didn’t deserve to lose. A refereeing decision in that game didn’t go in our favour for a red card on Mo Salah. Now we have to show the progress in an away game. It is tougher away from home.”
Guardiola, for his part, has not shied away from the significance of the fixture or the respect he holds for Liverpool—and Salah in particular. “For many times [they] have been the rival, the biggest, biggest one. So this is a team, like you know, making incredible investment last season to be there for many, many years, and is in Champions League, and it’s a top contender, top-class players. We hopefully can perform like we did at Arsenal to reach the next step.” Guardiola also paid tribute to Salah, saying, “It is a good moment to say goodbye in this country tomorrow. He deserves incredible, incredible recognition for what he has given to world football and especially in this country.”
The atmosphere at the Etihad is expected to be electric, with Liverpool fans traveling in larger numbers than usual for this high-stakes FA Cup encounter. Memories of their 3-2 FA Cup semi-final victory over City in the 2021–22 season, which paved the way for Liverpool’s eventual triumph over Chelsea in the final, still linger. However, City have reached every FA Cup final since, though last season’s defeat to Crystal Palace remains a sore point they’re eager to avenge.
Both clubs are navigating challenging schedules. City, after their Champions League elimination to Real Madrid, have the luxury of a clear midweek before resuming Premier League action against Chelsea. Liverpool, in contrast, face a grueling run with a Champions League quarter-final first leg away to PSG on Wednesday, followed by a domestic fixture against Fulham.
For fans eager to catch the action, the match is widely accessible: TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max in the UK, ESPN and fuboTV in the US, Sportsnet in Canada, and Max Mexico in Mexico. Free streaming trials are available via DIRECTV and Fubo TV, with Sling offering a first-month discount for new users.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes are on the Etihad. Will Manchester City’s attacking might and home advantage prevail, or can Liverpool spoil the party and keep Salah’s farewell dream alive? With so much riding on this encounter, drama is all but guaranteed, and football fans around the world will be glued to their screens as these two titans of English football battle for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
With the match underway, the outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: both teams are primed for a contest worthy of the occasion, and the story of this FA Cup quarter-final is far from finished.