We travel to Anfield for a 16:30 (UK) kick-off on Sunday 8 February in the Premier League’s standout fixture in this matchweek.
Get tickets for City v Fulham next week!
A tie that’s been the star attraction in English football for much of the last decade, both sides are currently looking to rebuild towards the level that saw us compete in iconic title races over and over again.
Having just booked our place in the Carabao Cup final, we’ll be looking to take that confidence into this one.
And with Arsenal playing on Saturday, the pressure will be on when it comes to keeping tabs on the current leaders.
With the help of Opta data, we reflect on the side aiming to stop us…
Recent form
Between the sixth and 12th matchweeks of the season, Liverpool’s six Premier League losses was more than any other club but since that point, no side has lost fewer games than our hosts this weekend.
Their 3-2 loss at Bournemouth was the only defeat in that 12-game streak stretching back to November.
All that still serves to leave the defending champions off the pace in terms of retaining their crown, sitting sixth with 39 points from 24 games.
Preferred formation
Wth Hugo Ekitike seemingly firmly established as the central striker, Liverpool have developed into a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Florian Wirtz is growing into his role behind Ekitike, while Mo Salah obviously remains a significant threat from the right and Cody Gakpo is first choice out left.
There’s a wealth of options for the double pivot, with two of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister favoured depending on the fixture.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the senior men at centre-back ahead of goalkeeper Alisson, while summer signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are ultra attacking full-backs when chosen.
Manager
Arne Slot enjoyed the dream maiden campaign in England last year, leading Liverpool to the title.
The 47-year-old is by no means inexperienced, having been in charge of Cambuur, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord in his native Netherlands but this is his first job beyond his homeland.
The second term in the Premier League, as it often is, has been tougher for Slot but his record remains strong.
He’s won 36 of his 62 games in the English top-flight so far, meaning his points per game average of 1.98 is second only to Pep Guardiola (2.28) amongst managers who’ve taken charge of at least 10 games.
Head-to-head record
It’s no secret that Anfield isn’t our favourite place to go.
We’ve won just one of our last 22 Premier League trips there – losing 14 and drawing seven.
That victory did come the only previous time we’ve visited Liverpool as reigning champions though, winning 4-1 in February 2021.
Following a 3-0 win at the Etihad in November, we are looking to complete our first league double over Liverpool since 1936-37.
In terms of our total 57 Premier League meetings at any ground, City have won 13 times, scoring 77 goals and conceding 86.
How they attack
Liverpool were far and away the league’s highest scorers last season with 86, but with only 14 games to go in this one they’re on just 39 goals.
That drop has been a key factor in their decline from title favourites to Champions League challengers.
It’s come from 38.7 xG, which means they tend to score as many goals as the chances they create would suggest.
With 372 shots, they’re not shy of shooting – only Manchester United have had more.
Having been susceptible in second halves recently, we’ll have to be on our guard in this one as Liverpool are the league’s second highest scorers after the break with 26 of their 39 in the second 45.
They get even better as the final whistle nears, with no side capable of matching the 14 goals they’ve scored in the final 15 minutes.
In terms of possession, only City complete more passes – with Liverpool averaging 554 per match and City on 577.
Ekitike is undoubtedly their chief goal threat, with 10 goals so far in his first season in England. Gakpo has five, while Salah – last season’s Golden Boot winner – is on just four.
Although the Egyptian is leading the way for assists, on five.
How they defend
Liverpool’s 33 goals conceded is very much middle of the pack, marking the 10th best defence in the league.
They have restricted opponents to just 26.9 xG though, suggesting teams are outperforming in front of goals compared to the chances they create.
Goalkeeper Alisson, who for a long time has been heralded as one of the world’s best, is 21st amongst the 28 goalkeepers used across the Premier League for save percentage.
He’s stopped 61.7% of the shots on target in his 19 appearances so far in 2025/26.
The home side appear susceptible to set plays, with 16 goals conceded so far making them the fifth worst in terms of keeping them out.
Liverpool are also the least likely to commit a foul across all 20 teams, with just 229 so far.
Celebrate Lunar New Year at City v Fulham!
As our closest home Premier League game to Lunar New Year, we’ll have plenty of celebrations as City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium.
Kick-off is at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 11 February but there’ll be lots to see and enjoy before the action gets under way on the evening.
Tickets for this game are now on general sale, starting at £30 for adults and £15 for Under 18s. You can get three per person here!
And if you choose to make it a special evening in one of our hospitality areas, there’ll be even more to enjoy on top of elite football on the pitch!
Prices start from £180, while there’s an offer available when booking in the Legends Lounge or a Platinum Box experience - contact the sales team or enter the code Fulham%20 at checkout to access.
