Liverpool Face Manchester City Without Injured Szoboszlai

Liverpool entered their Premier League showdown with Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, 2026, without Dominik Szoboszlai because of a hamstring strain, while injuries to three attacking players further limited their options. The hosts faced the league leaders with 9 points, while City's perfect record had delivered 15 points from five matches.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola selected Lewis Koumas to lead the attack in place of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo. According to Yahoo Sports Spain, Szoboszlai also missed the squad after attempting to continue training but failing to regain full fitness.

The confirmed Liverpool lineup featured Alisson in goal, with Ronald Araujo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez in defense. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz formed the midfield unit, while Víctor Muñoz, Bradley Barcola and Koumas completed the attacking group.

Isak's absence was particularly significant because he had scored four goals from 3.5 expected goals this season, according to Vietnam.vn. Gakpo had supplied all three of his Premier League assists to Isak, while Ekitike was also unavailable, leaving Liverpool with fewer established attacking options.

Manchester City, managed by Enzo Maresca following Pep Guardiola's departure at the end of the previous season, arrived with Erling Haaland in strong scoring form. Vietnam.vn reported that Haaland had scored five goals from 4.4 expected goals, giving City a major attacking option against a Liverpool side missing several forwards.

Despite City's five consecutive victories, defensive statistics suggested the leaders had benefited from strong goalkeeping and favorable moments. Vietnam.vn reported that City had conceded four goals in five matches, or five when own goals were included, while their non-penalty expected goals against stood at 7.25, ranking 11th in the league.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had played a substantial role in limiting the damage. According to Vietnam.vn, his performances had prevented an estimated 2.6 goals based on expected goals on target, the second-highest figure in the league behind Newcastle's Hornicek, at 3.2.

City's recent results also included narrow escapes. Vietnam.vn noted that the team beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing with 10 men for more than an hour, with the goalposts denying United twice and another goal ruled out. Against Bournemouth, City needed two goals in the 84th minute to secure a 2-1 comeback victory.

Anfield presented another challenge for the visitors. Vietnam.vn reported that City had won just three of 29 Premier League visits to Liverpool's home ground, a winning rate of 10.3%, while losing 18 times, equivalent to 62.1% of those matches.

The match also marked a change in the rivalry's managerial landscape. For the first time since March 2015, a Liverpool-Manchester City meeting took place without Jürgen Klopp or Guardiola on the sidelines, with Iraola and Maresca leading the respective teams.

According to Vietnam.vn, Iraola had maintained an unbeaten run of 26 consecutive Premier League matches dating back to his time at Bournemouth. Liverpool had also gone unbeaten in their first seven matches across all competitions, recording four wins and three draws, while City arrived with five consecutive victories in the league.