Manchester City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, in what is without doubt the tie of the round. City picked up their first major trophy of the season by beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, and that momentum could be a huge factor as they enter the final stages of the campaign.
Liverpool’s season looks to be resting on the cup competitions, with the Reds still involved in both the FA Cup and the Champions League, as their league form has seen them fall away from the top-four race. The head-to-head history at this stadium favours the home team; City have won three and drawn two of the last six meetings at the Etihad, losing only once.
Man City predicted XI vs Liverpool: Lineup breakdown
With Manchester City out of the Champions League, Pep Guardiola is likely to pick his strongest available team. He could name a similar XI to the one that started the Carabao Cup final, meaning James Trafford gets the nod once again in goal. Trafford looked composed against Arsenal and carries that confidence into what promises to be a fiercely contested cup tie at home.
Across the back four, João Nunes starts at right-back, where his energy and directness offer plenty of width on the right flank. Alongside him, Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi form the central defensive partnership. Guehi is available for this fixture after being ineligible against Arsenal, and his calmness under pressure is a massive boost as City deal with several defensive injuries. Rayan Ait-Nouri completes the back line at left-back, using his pace to support attacks in transition.
Josko Gvardiol remains out injured, removing a key option from Guardiola’s defensive options. John Stones and Rúben Dias are also doubtful, which dictates how the backline looks on Saturday.
In midfield, Rodri returns to anchor the side after his long absence earlier in the campaign. Having him back changes how City control the ball and presses high up the pitch. His partnership with Bernardo Silva gives the team defensive cover and the technical quality to set the tempo. Silva moves intelligently between lines, linking the midfield and attack in a way very few players in the league can match.
Up front, Antoine Semenyo starts on the right, where his directness and physicality will give Liverpool’s left side constant problems. Rayan Cherki takes the creative midfield role, looking to slide passes through and arrive late in the box, while Omar Marmoush starts on the left to provide some unpredictability and a goal threat. City’s attack has been clinical at the Etihad this season, averaging 2.4 goals per game at home, and this front trio is the reason why.
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Leading the line is Erling Haaland, a player who forces opposition defences to change their entire setup. Haaland scored in the 3-0 league win over Liverpool at the Etihad back in November, and Liverpool’s centre-backs will spend the afternoon trying to manage the threat he poses in behind and from set pieces. City look well-placed to advance.
Predicted Man City XI: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Marmoush; Haaland
