Manchester City Projects Lineup for Liverpool Clash at Anfield

Manchester City is preparing for its Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Sunday, October 11, with the club looking to maintain its perfect start to the season amid an ongoing investigation into financial rule violations. According to USA TODAY Sports, City has won all five of its opening league matches and is projected to field a lineup featuring Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ruben Dias.

The projected lineup comes as City returns to action after a break that has brought significant developments off the field. The club has not played a match since September 20, according to USA TODAY Sports.

City was found guilty of violating Premier League financial rules covering the period from the 2009-10 season through 2017-18. The club was also charged with failing to cooperate with the investigation, while questions remain over the league's eventual punishment.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the case, City's immediate focus is its match against Liverpool and its bid to preserve its unbeaten record in the league. The team enters the fixture with five wins from five matches, according to USA TODAY Sports.

USA TODAY Sports projects Gianluigi Donnarumma to start in goal, with Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol forming the defensive line.

Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson are projected to occupy central midfield roles. Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku are listed among the expected attacking players.

The published projected lineup does not include Erling Haaland, despite his prominence in the outlet's headline question about City's starting team. The source does not provide further details explaining his omission from the listed formation.

The match is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, October 11, at Anfield. The broadcast options listed by USA TODAY Sports include NBC, Peacock, Telemundo and Universo.

USA TODAY Sports also plans to provide a live blog with match updates, with the link expected to become available 90 minutes before kickoff.