Liverpool’s top-two rivalry with Manchester Metropolis might have cooled down after the drop in type of Arne Slot’s males this season, however a house victory for the Reds on Sunday would see them transfer to inside 5 factors of their subsequent opponents.
Slot’s position at Liverpool has been underneath scrutiny as they sit sixth within the desk after a significant summer time spending spree.
However it’s only one defeat for Liverpool of their final 16 matches in all competitions, and so they face a Metropolis aspect disadvantaged of wins in 5 of their final six Premier League outings.
With Liverpool’s latest resurgence, what number of of their gamers make it into Sofascore’s mixed XI?
Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis go head-to-head at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
Who makes the Reds and Cityzens mixed XI? Each day Mail Sport takes a glance
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Heading into a primary season in eight years with out Ederson, who higher to introduce between the sticks than final yr’s Champions League and Yashin Trophy winner.
The Italian has proved to be dependable in massive matches, successful the Premier League’s Save of the Month in September for a cease within the Manchester derby, so his newest problem of Anfield could possibly be one other advert of his world-class calibre.
Sofascore ranking: 7.01
Defender: Ibrahima Konate
It feels just like the Reds have been combating for Konate to signal a contract extension for an eternity, underlining the significance of his presence within the crew on the again.
Scoring towards Newcastle in his final match underneath the circumstances of a household grievance exhibits a personality and persona Liverpool want to have the ability to attain the subsequent stage once more.
Sofascore ranking: 7.10
Defender: Marc Guehi
Pep Guardiola was profitable in keeping off competitors from Liverpool and different European giants to safe Guehi’s signature in January.
And you may see why he was in demand along with his calmness within the back-line, and the sheer attacking high quality he can produce from set-pieces, managing six objective contributions this season earlier than his transfer from Crystal Palace.
Sofascore ranking: 7.24
Defender: Virgil van Dijk
Considered one of many biggest centre-backs within the historical past of world soccer, Van Dijk remains to be the rock on the coronary heart of the Liverpool defence.
Regardless of how a lot criticism he receives for not being at his finest anymore at 34, Erling Haaland will not be finest happy to need to battle it out towards him on Sunday throughout his Premier League objective drought.
Sofascore ranking: 7.29
Midfielder: Ryan Gravenberch
The anchor who sews defence and assault collectively for Liverpool has additionally contributed with 4 targets in vital moments for his aspect this season, along with his easy half-volley securing the Reds’ Purpose of the Month Award final September.
If Liverpool are to cease Metropolis from enjoying on Sunday, a lot will likely be right down to the physicality and positioning of the Dutchman.
Sofascore ranking: 7.20
Midfielder: Rodri
Former Ballon d’Or and treble winner Rodri, on his day, makes every thing tick round him, and he reads the sport higher than anybody else within the present sport.
A nasty ACL harm stunted his progress and his aspect’s dominance in England, however now he is again match and within the crew, Metropolis have a a lot better likelihood of constructing momentum once more.
Sofascore ranking: 7.35
Midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai
In a position to fill in at right-back, and as a holding, box-to-box, or attacking midfielder. The Hungarian can do all of it.
The free-kick maestro can discover the online from any distance, and his capacity alone was sufficient to crack Arsenal’s resistance from 32 yards out of their hardest house sport on paper this season, so Metropolis’s partitions will likely be shaking.
Sofascore ranking: 7.13
Midfielder: Rayan Cherki
Whether or not he begins on the bench or will get the nod on the wing, Cherki’s dancing toes and his output are terrifying.
Whereas he is nonetheless new to the league this season and solely 22 years outdated, Guardiola has already mentioned there are moments he desires to ‘kiss him’.
Sofascore ranking: 7.26
Midfielder: Phil Foden
Metropolis by and thru, and able to producing a string of goal-heavy performances, Foden rallied to 6 targets in 4 video games when Metropolis had been on their unstoppable streak on the finish of 2025.
Outing of the 11 might have been what Foden wanted to have the ability to bounce again now and recalibrate himself for the ultimate a part of the season.
Sofascore ranking: 7.06
Midfielder: Antoine Semenyo
A recent face signing from the Cherries in January, Semenyo ended his spell down on the coast with a Ninety fifth-minute winner towards Metropolis’s bogey crew, Tottenham, utterly in step with the best way his season has gone thus far.
Arguably essentially the most constant winger within the league this season, the Ghanaian has conjured up 15 objective contributions already, and if anybody goes to placed on a present in entrance of the Kop for Metropolis, you possibly can depend on this man to ship.
Sofascore ranking: 7.10
Ahead: Erling Haaland
The very best Sofascore ranking and the league’s high goalscorer with 20 targets needed to be included, after a blitz of a begin noticed him internet 19 instances within the opening 17 video games.
However with only one Premier League objective in 2026 for the Norwegian, it might be a good time for him to rediscover his goalscoring contact towards an inform Liverpool aspect to maintain the tempo up with Arsenal in first.
Sofascore ranking: 7.42
