Liverpool will need to discover defensive stability and form on the road if they are to progress to the FA Cup semi-final at Man City‘s expense.
The Reds’ return from the international break sees them head on the road for an early kickoff, which has not proved fruitful this season.
Liverpool have won only 10 of their 23 games away from Anfield this season, a win percentage of 43.4%, and have lost three of the last four in all competitions.
Moreover, Arne Slot‘s side have kept merely one clean sheet in the last seven matches in all competitions – and their defensive resolve will be tested again at City.
Mo Salah’s eye-catching record against Man City
Mo Salah has 13 goals in his 24 games against City in all competitions, with only Ian Rush more productive with his 15 goals coming from 20 appearances.
Salah has played more times against City than against any other team in his Liverpool career.
In league and cup, he has scored in eight of the Reds’ last nine victories over City – another one, in his last-ever game against City as a Red would be more than welcome.
Curtis Jones has been reliable in the FA Cup for Liverpool
Should Curtis Jones score, he will do so for the third time in a single edition of the competition.
He would become the first Liverpool player to score in three successive rounds of the FA Cup since Luis Suarez in 2012, and the first since Robbie Fowler in 1996 to score in rounds four, five and six in the same season.
The Scouser has five goals in 19 FA Cup games for Liverpool, with only Salah (8 goals in 14) having scored more in the competition of Liverpool’s current squad.
Cody Gakpo’s next goal, meanwhile, will see him become the 58th player to score 50 goals for Liverpool in all competitions, and the second Dutchman to do so after Dirk Kuyt.
Notably, each of his eight goals this season have been scored in the second half of games.
Pep Lijnders to take charge of Man City vs. Liverpool
City could beat Liverpool in three successive meetings for the first time since 1935, when they won four in a row. And a third win would be the first time ever in the same season.
Pep Guardiola has never defeated Liverpool in three successive games in his career.
However, he is banned from this game having been yellow-carded for the sixth time this season during the game with Newcastle in the fifth round, and in doing so incurred a two-game touchline ban.
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is expected to take charge.
Liverpool and Man City goalscorers so far this season
Man City: Haaland 30, Foden 10, Cherki 9, O’Reilly 8, Reijnders 7, Semenyo 7, Marmoush 6, Bernardo Silva 3, Doku 3, Savinho 3, Gvardiol 2, Lewis 2, Rodri 2, Ruben Dias 2, Alleyne 1, Gonzalez 1, Guehi 1, McAidoo 1, Matheus Nunes 1, own goals 6
Liverpool: Ekitike 17, Szoboszlai 12, Salah 10, Gakpo 8, Wirtz 6, Gravenberch 5, Mac Allister 5, Van Dijk 5, Chiesa 3, Isak 3, Frimpong 2, Jones 2, Kerkez 2, Konate 2, Robertson 2, Ngumoha 1, own goals 3
* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).