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The weekend’s spotlighted fixture takes place at Anfield as Liverpool hosts 2nd-placed Manchester City on Sunday. The hosts enjoyed a strong return to form with a 4-1 drubbing over their northern counterparts Newcastle. Man City will have the pleasure of testing their mettle against the same side midweek in League Cup semi-final action before heading to Merseyside. Read on for an expert Liverpool vs Man City prediction and explore stats and tips for EPL betting in 2026.
- English Premier League
- Liverpool FC vs Manchester City FC
- Sunday, February 8, 2026
- 11:30 AM EST
- Anfield, Liverpool, England
- Peacock
Liverpool vs Man City Betting Odds
Liverpool are favorites to get the 3 points in a crucial top-6 matchup, with odds of (+139). Their visitors are not too far behind at (+186). A draw pays out at (+274), with the total set at a flat 3 goals.
| Premier League |  |  |  |
| Liverpool | +139 | +135 | +135 |
| Man City | +186 | +179 | +183 |
| Draw | +274 | +268 | +265 |
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Liverpool Out of Title Picture, But Still Have European Ambitions
After a record-breaking summer transfer window saw a wealth of talent arrive at Anfield, it seems the brass at Fenway Sports Group felt their wallets growing thin. A last-minute move for defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes certainly made a big splash, but the impact is dampened by the deal’s timeline: Jacquet will not arrive at Liverpool until July.
Various failed moves including a play for Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida fell through and now boss Arne Slot must figure out exactly what the heck he’s gonna do to keep Liverpool afloat in the coming weeks. Up to eleven players will be absent for Slot’s side in this meeting with Man City. Defenders Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong and Connor Bradley are among the men seeking treatment in the infirmary.
While seemingly a mess off the pitch, Liverpool seemed to have found their groove back following a 6-0 blowout of Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK before their aforementioned win over the Magpies. That victory, however, marked the Reds’ first win in six domestic tries. Indeed, Liverpool has accrued just seven points in their last 6 Premier League games and now sits outside the European qualification places at 39 points. Sunday’s maximum haul could potentially bring Liverpool back up to 4th.
Man City: Outcome Could Decide Premier League Title
If Liverpool has disappointed so far in 2026, Man City hasn’t exactly given their own supporters’ much more confidence. The sky-blue outfit squandered a 2-goal halftime advantage in a draw to sputtering Tottenham last time out. A pair of 2-0 wins against relegation-bound Wolves and Galatasaray in the Champions League bridge the draw in North London with back-to-back multi-goal losses.
The first warning signs came via three straight stalemates to begin the calendar year against inferior opposition. Then came the Manchester derby, where United’s caretaker manager Michael Carrick tactically dominated Pep Guardiola en route to a 2-0 victory that could have easily ended 6-0. And after a visit to Norway’s Bodo/Glimt finished in similar misery, the players pitched in to pay for the supporter’s long trips up north.
Unlike Liverpool, Man City won big during January’s transfer window. The Citizens picked up winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier in the month, prying away a natural goal-scoring talent from a resurgent top-half club. Semenyo should diversify City’s attacking options as Haaland constitutes nearly half of the club’s offense (20 of their 49 Premier League goals).
But injuries struck the back of line of Manchester City heavily, forcing reinforcements to come in the way of Max Alleyne (recalled from his loan at Watford) and Marc Guehi, whose controversial split from Crystal Palace as the team’s skipper came at a relatively affordable price. Ailing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias will look to rejoin the defense in the coming months.
Liverpool vs Man City Prediction: Free Expert Betting Pick
This fixture has the makings of a title decider. Man City sit six points behind Arsenal in the table, making any slip-up a potential nail in the coffin. City triumphed in the reverse edition 3-0 at the Etihad, but Liverpool were unbeaten in the four meetings prior. After years of fighting for Premier League glory, Liverpool must settle for the role of spoiler.
From a betting perspective, a major factor to consider is rest. Man City face Newcastle in the second leg of their semi-final tie with Newcastle in the League Cup on Wednesday. At such a late stage, one can expect a relatively strong lineup to trot out against the Magpies. And with injuries already a headache for Guardiola, the squad could be looking thin on Sunday.
Liverpool have taken a ton of money from sharps throughout the beginning of the week and rightfully so. They have the fortitude and the form to defend home turf against a Man City side that feels toothless of late. Take Liverpool in the Draw No Bet market at (-130), offering insurance in the event of a cagey stalemate given the stakes.
Odds are accurate at time of writing but subject to change.
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