'Stupid and naive': Wayne Rooney blasts Liverpool star over crucial mistake in Man City rout

A fixture that has dominated England’s top-flight for the best part of a decade is set to attract even more eyeballs with this being Man City's first game since being found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. Liverpool, seeking to cut the gap on league leaders Man City to three points, faces a lineup hit by injuries: Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni are all out. Enzo Maresca's team is expected to field Erling Haaland, who scored crucial goals against Liverpool last season, including a stoppage-time penalty in February 2024. The match will take place at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with kickoff at 4:30 pm BST. Predicted Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. Doubts include Semenyo and O’Reilly, while Foden is suspended. Liverpool's Andoni Iraola will be without five key players but may have Jeremy Jacquet available after recovering from a hamstring strain. Federico Chiesa could also make his matchday squad debut following recovery from a lower back injury. Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. Doubts: Semenyo, O’Reilly. Suspended: Foden. Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. Liverpool's reception for Man City is expected to be hostile following the club's financial scandal. Guardiola previously faced chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" at Anfield and responded by lifting six fingers up, representing his six Premier League titles with City. Now, Maresca and his players will face a new reality as they attempt to maintain their 100% start in the league this term. Liverpool's XI: Alisson; Tsimikas, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Diaz, Firmino, Salah. Doubts: None. Suspended: None. Injuries: Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni. Available: Jacquet, Chiesa (possible). Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola sees this match as an opportunity to kickstart their title challenge against a Man City side that has won five out of five in the Premier League this term. The game promises to be intense and closely watched by fans and pundits alike, with both teams aiming for victory despite challenges on and off the pitch. Man City's XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. Doubts: Semenyo, O’Reilly. Suspended: Foden. Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. Liverpool's XI is expected to be strong despite the absence of key players, with Alisson in goal, Tsimikas, Matip, Van Dijk, and Robertson forming a solid defense. Henderson, Fabinho, and Jones will anchor midfield, while Diaz, Firmino, and Salah lead the attack. Liverpool's XI: Alisson; Tsimikas, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Diaz, Firmino, Salah. Doubts: None. Suspended: None. Injuries: Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni. Available: Jacquet, Chiesa (possible). Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams fielding strong lineups despite challenges, and the atmosphere at Anfield is expected to be electric as Liverpool fans welcome Man City's players for the first time since the financial scandal revelations. Man City's XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. Doubts: Semenyo, O’Reilly. Suspended: Foden. Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. Liverpool's XI is expected to be strong despite the absence of key players, with Alisson in goal, Tsimikas, Matip, Van Dijk, and Robertson forming a solid defense. Henderson, Fabinho, and Jones will anchor midfield, while Diaz, Firmino, and Salah lead the attack. Liverpool's XI: Alisson; Tsimikas, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Diaz, Firmino, Salah. Doubts: None. Suspended: None. Injuries: Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni. Available: Jacquet, Chiesa (possible). Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams fielding strong lineups despite challenges, and the atmosphere at Anfield is expected to be electric as Liverpool fans welcome Man City's players for the first time since the financial scandal revelations. Man City's XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. Doubts: Semenyo, O’Reilly. Suspended: Foden. Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. Liverpool's XI is expected to be strong despite the absence of key players, with Alisson in goal, Tsimikas, Matip, Van Dijk, and Robertson forming a solid defense. Henderson, Fabinho, and Jones will anchor midfield, while Diaz, Firmino, and Salah lead the attack. Liverpool's XI: Alisson; Tsimikas, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Diaz, Firmino, Salah. Doubts: None. Suspended: None. Injuries: Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni. Available: Jacquet, Chiesa (possible). Time and date: 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 11, 2026. How to watch: Sky Sports. Venue: Anfield. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams fielding strong lineups despite challenges, and the atmosphere at Anfield is expected to be electric as Liverpool fans welcome Man City's players for the first time since the financial scandal revelations.