Manchester City and Liverpool have already met twice in the Premier League this season, with City winning both, including a 3-0 victory at the Etihad in November and a 2-1 comeback at Anfield in February. Now these two heavyweights return to the Etihad with a Wembley semi-final spot on the line.
City are flying high after beating Arsenal 2-0 in the EFL Cup Final at Wembley on March 22nd, thanks to a Nico O’Reilly brace. Liverpool, however, are in a much tougher spot. The Reds have dropped ten Premier League games during a difficult title defence and have lost three of their last four away trips. Despite the massive injury list and shaky league form, Arne Slot’s side have stayed unbeaten in this FA Cup run, and they’ll need every bit of grit for one of the hardest away days in English football.
Predicted XI of Liverpool against Manchester City
In goal, Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue to fill in for the injured Alisson Becker. The Georgian has looked calm enough lately to suggest Liverpool can trust him in the big moments. Mamardashvili started against Barnsley in January, and the Galatasaray game was only his second start since November. Facing Erling Haaland is a completely different beast, but the 24-year-old is strong in the air and doesn’t panic when pressed.
Across the back four, the absence of Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong has forced Arne Slot to get creative at right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai looks set to drop back there, which is a move Slot has tried with some success recently. Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk will lead the defence, forming a solid partnership that keeps Liverpool in games even when the squad is thin. Milos Kerkez, a summer signing from Bournemouth, will start at left-back to give the team some real attacking spark out wide, often linking up with Gakpo to overload the flank.
In the middle, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will sit deep to protect the backline and keep the ball moving. Gravenberch is great at covering ground and stopping counter-attacks, while Mac Allister has the vision to play through City’s high press. Their presence gives the front four license to roam, knowing the midfield won’t fall apart if Liverpool turn the ball over.
Up front, Mohamed Salah should return from a groin injury to start on the right, looking to exploit a City left side that has looked shaky lately. Record signing Florian Wirtz, who has four goals and two assists in the league so far, should start in the number ten role. He’s most dangerous here, finding space between the lines and timing his runs into the box. Cody Gakpo will start on the left, looking to cut inside and pull City’s defenders out of position.
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Leading the line, Hugo Ekitike has already bagged 17 goals this season, showing why Liverpool spent big on him last summer. His movement and clinical touch mean City’s injury-hit defence can’t afford to switch off for a second.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konaté, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
