Liverpool-Manchester City set for first Guardiola-less clash since 2016

Manchester City play their first match on Sunday since the Premier declared them guilty of 115 financial irregularities on the 29th. They travel to Anfield to face Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool. It will be the first classic meeting between the two sides without Pep Guardiola since 2016. His successor, Enzo Maresca, tried on Thursday to deliver an optimistic message to his squad.

When Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp were in charge of their teams, this fixture was regarded as the biggest showdown in English football. Between 2017-18 and 2024-25, the English league titles went to Manchester City six times with Guardiola, to Liverpool once under Klopp and once with Arne Slot.

Manchester City arrive at Anfield top of the table on goal difference ahead of Arsenal, with a perfect record in the championship. For Iraola’s Liverpool, beating their great rival would offer a chance to gain momentum.

Liverpool face the visit with some urgency: the team, now led by the Basque coach, are seventh, six points behind the top two. Following the guilty verdict, Manchester City could face sanctions ranging from a fine to a points deduction, the removal of titles or even expulsion from the competition. The club reportedly also sought, the previous day, to negotiate a reduction in the sanction with the Premier.