🏏 Sat, 4 Apr 2026 12:45 BST
Manchester City
vs
Liverpool FC
4-2-3-1 vs 4-2-2-2
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- An FA Cup quarter-final between second-placed Manchester City and fifth-placed Liverpool. With both sides in a position to chase a domestic cup amid the league title race, the tension of a one-off knockout tie rises.
- City set up in a 4-5-1 with a thick midfield anchored by Rodri. Liverpool, by contrast, adopt a 4-4-2 with the front two of Salah and Ekitike. The tactically contrasting picture of City's midfield dominance against Liverpool's two-striker counter is the point of interest.
- The matchup between Haaland and Van Dijk is again the biggest point this season. Against the power and pace Haaland brings off his 195cm frame, how Van Dijk shuts him down, and control of the aerial battle, will sway the direction of the game.
- Liverpool's Florian Wirtz starts as part of the midfield. Watch how the architect of Leverkusen's unbeaten title win unpicks City's solid defensive block. Delicate playmaking in tight spaces holds the key.
- City start both wide attackers, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku. Will Doku's explosive dribbling and Cherki's creativity threaten Liverpool's full-back line? The right-flank battle of Doku against Joe Gomez, in particular, is well worth watching.
- City's Guehi and Kovacic are both former Chelsea players, while Liverpool's Frimpong came through City's U23s, making it a former-club tie. The crossing of multiple subplots promises the heated drama unique to the cup.
- It is also intriguing that Foden and Marmoush start on the bench. City manager Guardiola has rotated for the cup while keeping them in reserve as jokers to introduce in the second half. Their introductions could change the flow of the game.
- Liverpool use Mamardashvili in goal. Watch what performance the 197cm keeper, signed from Valencia as the cup goalkeeper, produces on the big stage at the Etihad.