Manchester City is set to clash with Liverpool this Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 1:30 PM BRST at the Etihad Stadium, marking one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Premier League season. The match is pivotal for both clubs, with Liverpool currently sitting atop the league table and seeking to extend their lead.
Liverpool leads the Premier League comfortably with 61 points, sitting eight points clear of Arsenal, the second-placed team. Manchester City, on the other hand, trails with 44 points, positioned fourth and desperately seeking points to keep their hopes alive for Champions League qualification next season. The stakes could not be higher as the teams prepare to meet for the second time this season; the first encounter ended with Liverpool defeating City 2-0 at Anfield, courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Having faced elimination from the Champions League, City’s focus has shifted solely to the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s squad is coming off of mixed results, including a heavy defeat against Real Madrid (3-1) earlier this week, which has sparked discussions about their current form and mental state. City’s last league outing saw them demolish Newcastle 4-0 at home, showcasing their attacking capabilities and solidifying their position for the race to the top.
This weekend’s game takes on added significance as it could dictate the overall title race moving forward. Liverpool is performing exceptionally this season, remaining unbeaten since September and is only one goal shy of Salah hitting yet another milestone of reaching the all-time goal scoreboards for the club.
Salah, who currently leads the league with 24 goals, is not only eyeing individual accolades but also seeking to bolster Liverpool’s position. If he scores against City, he will equal Gordon Hodgson’s tally of 241 goals, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list. Liverpool’s recent performances have been stable, with their last league match resulting in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, which saw them drop points and seek redemption against Manchester City.
City will be without defender John Stones and Manuel Akanji due to injury, complicate their defensive lineup. Guardiola is hopeful to have Erling Haaland back after he missed the Champions League clash, raising questions about the potential to score against Liverpool's solid defense led by Virgil van Dijk. The possible lineup for Manchester City includes Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Aké, and Gvardiol; alongside Kovacic and Bernardo Silva, with Haaland leading the attack alongside Phil Foden and Mahmud Marmoush.
Liverpool, managed by Jürgen Klopp, might have to adjust their attacking front too, with uncertainty surrounding Cody Gakpo’s availability after recent injury woes. Their anticipated lineup includes Alisson at goal; with Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, and Tsimikas forming the back line. The midfield features Gravenberch, Jones, and key playmaker Szoboszlai, supporting the prolific front line including Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez.
Both clubs boast rich histories of competitive clashes, with Liverpool marginally leading the all-time record of victories at 94 compared to City’s 50 and 53 matches ending without a winner. This upcoming match promises to deliver both tactical intrigue and high-octane performances, certain to enthrall fans and analysts alike.
Fans can catch the action live on ESPN and streaming via Disney+. The match is being officiated by referee Anthony Taylor, supported by assistants Gary Beswick and Lee Betts, and VAR Stuart Attwell managing the review procedures.
With all the surrounding hype, questions loom whether Manchester City can leverage home-ground advantage to secure points, or if Liverpool can maintain their commanding leadership and assert dominance once again on City turf. The outcome of this glorious encounter is set to resonate throughout the rest of the Premier League season.