Liam Duckstein
Liverpool head into their FA Cup quarter-final showdown against Manchester City with several key selection dilemmas. Injuries, positional reshuffles, and tactical adjustments are all expected to shape Arne Slot’s starting XI at the Etihad Stadium.
The Reds are likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, balancing defensive protection with attacking creativity. However, this is far from a settled lineup, with multiple players either sidelined or only just returning to fitness.
Liverpool Predicted Starting XI vs Manchester City
Based on current team news and recent previews, Liverpool’s most likely lineup reflects both necessity and tactical flexibility.
| Position | Player | Notes |
| GK | Giorgi Mamardashvili | Steps in as first-choice with Alisson unavailable. |
| RB | Jeremie Frimpong / Joe Gomez | Frimpong returned to training Thursday after an injury scare on international duty and could start; Gomez is the cover option. |
| CB | Ibrahima Konaté | Shifts to centre-back alongside Van Dijk. |
| CB | Virgil van Dijk | Defensive leader and key presence against Haaland. |
| LB | Milos Kerkez / Andrew Robertson | Left-back options with squad depth limited. |
| CDM | Ryan Gravenberch | Box-to-box presence with defensive responsibilities. |
| CDM | Alexis Mac Allister | Controls tempo and links defence to attack. |
| RW | Mohamed Salah | Declared fit to return after missing the Brighton defeat. |
| AM | Florian Wirtz / Dominik Szoboszlai | Wirtz expected in the number 10 role; Szoboszlai may shift to right-back if Frimpong misses out. |
| LW | Cody Gakpo | Provides width and goal threat from the left. |
| ST | Hugo Ekitiké | Leads the line with mobility and finishing ability. |
This setup emphasises creativity behind the striker while relying on a patched-up defensive line to cope with City’s attacking firepower.
Liverpool Injury Updates
Liverpool’s injury situation heading into the quarter-final:
- Alisson Becker — Out. Mamardashvili starts in goal.
- Mohamed Salah — Expected to start after returning from a muscle issue.
- Jeremie Frimpong — Trained fully Thursday after an Ecuador scare; likely available. Gomez is cover.
- Alexander Isak — Back in team training after a broken leg; bench role possible, start unlikely.
- Conor Bradley — Out for the season (knee).
- Giovanni Leoni — Long-term absentee (ACL).
- Wataru Endo — Out until end of season (ankle surgery).
Tactical Setup: How Liverpool Could Approach the Game
Arne Slot’s 4-2-3-1 system is designed to provide defensive coverage while still enabling quick attacking transitions. Against Manchester City, the key challenge will be managing pressure without losing attacking threat.
In possession, Liverpool will rely on Mac Allister to dictate tempo from deep, while Gravenberch offers forward runs and physical presence. Ahead of them, Wirtz is expected to operate as the central creator, linking play and driving attacks through the middle — or Szoboszlai steps into that role if he plays in his natural position rather than covering at right-back.
The wide areas are where Liverpool can hurt City. Salah on the right remains the primary threat, cutting inside and attacking the space in behind. On the opposite flank, Gakpo provides directness and a goal threat, pressing high and combining centrally.
Up front, Ekitiké offers mobility rather than pure physical dominance. His ability to stretch the defensive line and press from the front will be crucial in disrupting City’s build-up play, particularly against a City backline that is also dealing with its own defensive injuries.
Key Tactical Battles
| Battle | Liverpool Approach | City Threat |
| Salah vs City left side | Exploit space in transition and isolate defenders. | City may double up defensively to limit his influence. |
| Midfield control | Mac Allister and Gravenberch must resist City’s press. | Rodri and City’s midfield rotations could dominate possession. |
| Van Dijk vs Haaland | Contain physical threat and limit service. | Haaland’s movement and finishing remain a constant danger. |
If Liverpool can stay compact and transition quickly, they have the tools to trouble City. However, defensive instability — particularly at right-back and in goal — remains a genuine concern.
Final Verdict
Liverpool’s predicted lineup highlights both their strengths and vulnerabilities heading into this FA Cup quarter-final. The attacking options behind Ekitiké offer creativity and goal threat, but defensive reshuffles and injury concerns could prove decisive.
Against a Manchester City side that thrives on control and precision, Liverpool will need to be tactically disciplined and ruthlessly efficient in transition. The fitness of Salah and the availability of Frimpong at right-back may ultimately determine whether Slot’s side has enough to reach the semi-finals.