Football
Football
Match Preview
Gambling
News

Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Date: February 08, 2026 Venue: Anfield Stadium Kickoff Time: 18:30 Few fixtures in modern English football carry the same weight, intrigue, and inevitability as Liverpool versus Manchester City. Premier League betting fans can analyze the markets and stand a chance to cash in on this high-stakes encounter. This fixture has become the defining rivalry of the Premier League era as these two teams push each other to historic standards, and where two philosophies collide at full speed. Fine margins, elite quality, and decisive moments are not just expected; they are demanded. As the season reaches a pivotal point, the stakes could scarcely be higher.

Marc Strydom
Marc Strydom

Last updated: 2026-02-04

Chad Nagel

6 minutes read

SportsBoom offers honest and impartial UK bookmaker reviews to help you make informed choices. While we may earn commissions through affiliate links, our content remains independent and free from promotional influence. For more information, see our Content Transparency and How We Review pages.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City in action with Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley

Erling Haaland in action with Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley / Getty Images

For the Reds, every home meeting with City feels like an opportunity to tilt the balance of power, not just in the table but in the psychological landscape of the season. Meanwhile, the Citizens travel with the calm authority of serial winners. Methodical, precise, and ruthlessly efficient, they thrive in these high-pressure moments. 

Anfield is primed once again to play its role as the league’s most volatile amplifier, as Liverpool and Man City renew their rivalry on 08 February 2026. When these two collide, it’s rarely just a game; it’s a tactical chess match between elite minds and a showcase of the Premier League at its most unforgiving. 

Pre-Game Odds & Win Probability

  1. HOME (LIVERPOOL): 139/100 (2.39) – 41.8% 

  2. DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) 27.8% 

  3. AWAY (MAN CITY): 8/5 (2.60) – 38.5% 

    Odds courtesy of William Hill, subject to change.

Head-To-Head Record

Last five meetings (All Competitions)

  1. 09/11/2025: Man City 3-0 Liverpool

  2. 23/02/2025: Man City 0-2 Liverpool 

  3. 01/12/2024: Liverpool 2-0 Man City

  4. 10/03/2024: Liverpool 1-1 Man City 

  5. 25/11/2023: Man City 1-1 Liverpool 

Liverpool Current Form – WWLWD

Even though Liverpool has experienced a fair share of obstacles this season, they have remained structured yet ferocious, controlled yet capable of chaos. Their pressing remains one of the most aggressive weapons in the league, designed not just to regain possession but to overwhelm, forcing opponents to survive waves of pressure as much as tactical examination. 

Liverpool’s form in the last five matches has seen them regain confidence and play with fluidity that has been at the forefront of their success. Despite the surprising draw against struggling Burnley, the Reds dismantled Marseille in the Champions League, demonstrating how relentless they can be on their day. However, that victory was overshadowed by a shock defeat to Bournemouth.

Back in the Champions League, Liverpool quickly returned to winning ways after completely dominating Qarabag, followed by a promising victory over Newcastle, where they showed class and signs of a bright future as they continue to find their sweet spot. After two confidence-boosting victories, the Reds will now prepare for City and look to maintain their hot form by defeating the Citizens on home soil. 

Key Players To Watch

  • Hugo Ekitike: In a fixture defined by intensity and narrow margins, Ekitike’s ability to read the rhythm of the game could prove decisive. Tall, fluid, and technically assured, he offers a blend of physical presence and finesse that allows him to operate across the front line, making him difficult to contain.  
  • Cody Gakpo: Comfortable operating across the front line or in more central roles, Gakpo offers a blend of physical strength, technical quality, and tactical intelligence. He links play effectively under pressure, is calm in possession, and is clinical in front of goal, making him a constant attacking threat. 
  • Florian Wirtz: Wirtz is starting to enjoy life in Anfield as he continues to contribute significantly in the final third. Whether it's providing the final ball, linking play, or showing composure in front of goal, his influence extends well beyond pure creativity and has offered Liverpool attacking dynamics. 

Liverpool Team News

Jeremie Frimpong is ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury. Alexander Isak is expected back in April after sustaining an ankle injury against Tottenham. 

Manchester City Current Form – DWWLL

Built on control, clarity, and collective intelligence, Man City continues to raise the standards with elite quality and football that has become a joy to watch. Their confidence stems from structure rather than emotion, from patterns refined over seasons of sustained excellence. When decisive moments arrive, City tends to meet them with precision rather than panic, despite facing obstacles along the way. 

Having said that, City’s form coming into this fixture has not been at their usual high standards, with shock defeats and missed opportunities providing room for improvement. In rare back-to-back defeats against rivals Man United and Bodo Glimt in the Champions League, City showed a lack of firepower, cohesion, and defensive frailties that proved costly.

However, City wasted no time returning to winning ways after comfortably seeing off relegation favourites Wolves and Turkish giants Galatasaray in the Champions League. Away to Tottenham, the Lilywhites stage a remarkable second-half comeback to salvage a point after City looked on their way to victory. Last time out, the Carabao Cup semifinal against Newcastle served as the perfect preparation for this trip to Anfield. 

Key Players To Watch

  • Phil Foden: Equally comfortable operating across the front line or drifting into pockets, Foden brings a rare blend of technical sharpness, movement, and game intelligence that allows City’s system to flow at full speed. His decisive decision-making in the final third adds a consistent goal threat to his creativity. 
  • Erling Haaland: Physically dominant yet deceptively sharp over short distances, Haaland thrives in environments where chances are limited. One touch, one run, one lapse, and the balance shifts whenever he’s presented with an opportunity, especially with his clinical finishing. 
  • Antoine Semenyo: Semenyo enters this fixture in the midst of a run that has elevated his importance from useful outlet to genuine difference-maker since joining the Citizens. He attacks space aggressively, carries the ball with power, and consistently forces defenders into uncomfortable situations. 

Man City Team News

Jeremy Doku is hoping to return at the end of February after sustaining a calf injury. Ruben Dias is also expected back at the end of February after recovering from a hamstring injury. Josko Gvardiol is still out for the next three weeks with an ankle injury. 

Predicted Line-Up

  1. Liverpool: 4-2-3-1

    Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.

  2. Man City: 4-5-1

    Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Reijnders, Semenyo, Marmoush, Haaland.

Suggested Bets

Kick off the right way with a premium welcome bonus designed to maximize your returns from the first step. 

  1. Both Teams To Score (Yes): Both Liverpool and City are more than capable of finding the back of the net. 87/100 (1.87) with Betway.

  2. Total (Over 2.5): This fixture usually delivers goals on the day, expect the same to happen in this highly anticipated matchup. 3/4 (1.75) with William Hill. 

  3. Liverpool & Both Teams To Score (Yes): Liverpool’s home support may just push them over the line, while City will still be able to cause chaos on the day. 37/20 (2.85) with Hollywoodbets.

Value Bets

Gain the edge by analyzing both teams with expert insights and value-driven betting tips

  1. Last Goal (Man City): City is a goal-scoring team and often comes up with late goals. 7/4 (2.75) with Unibet.

  2. First Half – (Draw): The first half will be evenly matched, setting the stage for an intense second half as both teams will be determined to collect maximum points. 5/2 (3.50) with Betway. 

  3. Anytime Goal Scorer (Hugo Ekitike): The Frenchman is a constant threat; expect him to find the back of the net in this fixture. 34/25 (2.36) with Midnite. 

Prediction: Draw 

Liverpool and Man City are among the best teams in the Premier League and two of the strongest in the world. While this fixture will deliver drama, intense tactical battles, and countless individual moments of brilliance, the quality of both teams will see them share the points after an intense 90 minutes.

Marc Strydom
Marc StrydomSports Writer

A dedicated sports lover with a wealth of experience in the sports betting world, Marc Strydom has mostly worked as an Editor-in-chief of a sports betting newspaper in South Africa. Marc’s enthusiasm covers many sports, though he is most passionate about football and the NBA. He has covered a wide range of topics on multiple respected platforms.

Football Match Predictions