FA Cup quarterfinals: Manchester City vs Liverpool preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

• Over 3.5 goals

• Both teams to score

• Manchester City to win

Many had written off Manchester City’s season after they fell nine points behind Arsenal in the Premier League race and were kicked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid. However, the Cityzens painted Wembley in sky blue in the EFL Cup final.

Two second-half headers from rising star Nico O’Reilly inspired Man City to a statement 2-0 victory over Arsenal to ensure Pep Guardiola avoided back-to-back trophyless seasons.

The win also brings the Catalan’s managerial career haul to 40 major honours, a landmark total should he choose to conclude his decade-long Etihad tenure this summer.

Man City are now chasing a domestic cup double, at a minimum.They have already beaten Exeter, Salford and Newcastle en route to reaching this stage, and are one win away from sealing a return to Wembley Stadium.

Liverpool, meanwhile, suffered a setback in their quest for a top-four Premier League finish by losing to Brighton last time out, but can still have a special end to the season with this competition and the Champions League.

The Reds face at least 10 games across three different competitions before the season comes to an end, and while a top-five Premier League finish is a priority, progress in the FA Cup and Champions League will also carry significant weight in determining Slot’s long-term future on Merseyside.

This match will also mark the first game since Mohamed Salah announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after nine legendary years as the Egyptian king at Anfield.

These teams meet almost two months on from an eventful Premier League contest at Anfield where the Citizens staged a late turnaround to win 2-1, courtesy of goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland, as well as a Dominic Szoboszlai free kick and late red card.

Liverpool also lost 3-0 in their last visit to the Etihad in November last year. However, the eight-time FA Cup winners will take comfort from having prevailed in each of their last four away encounters with Man City in the competition (1988, 2001, 2003 and 2022).

Nevertheless, Man City boast an exceptional record in the FA Cup, as they have won 19 of their last 21 matches in the competition across the last four seasons, including their 3-1 fifth-round win at Newcastle United a month ago.

Their only defeats during this period were in the 2024 and 2025 finals to Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively.

Manchester City FA Cup form: 🟩🟩🟩

Manchester City form (all competitions): 🟧🟩🟥🟧🟥🟩

Liverpool FA Cup form: 🟩🟩🟩

Liverpool form (all competitions): 🟥🟩🟥🟧🟩🟥

Man City defender Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) remains in the treatment room, while John Stones (calf) and Ruben Dias (hamstring) will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Marc Guehi was ineligible for the EFL Cup final, but he will no doubt start in defence this weekend alongside either Dias, if fit, Abdukodir Khusanov or Nathan Ake, while James Trafford is expected to begin in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Thanks to his EFL Cup final heroics, Guardiola might decide to leave O’Reilly in midfield to link up with captain Bernado Silva and Rodri, with Rayan Ait-Nouri starting at left-back.

As for Liverpool, Alisson Becker (muscle), Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni (both knee) and Wataru Endo (ankle) all remain out with injuries, while Jeremie Frimpong will be assessed after picking up an unspecified problem on international duty with the Netherlands.

Alexander Isak has made a welcome return to training this week after more than three months out with a broken leg, but Saturday’s game may come too soon for the striker. Hugo Ekitike is expected to start up front regardless of Isak’s availability.

Manchester City: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Eighteen of the last 19 meetings between Man City and Liverpool have produced two or more goals, so expect another entertaining contest between these familiar foes this weekend.

All eyes will be on whether Salah will be involved, but the Reds still possess several attackers capable of hurting the hosts. 

Nevertheless, Man City’s exceptional home form is difficult to ignore, and we are backing Guardiola’s men – buoyed by their recent EFL Cup triumph – to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Correct score prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Liverpool