Manchester City and Liverpool meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley up for grabs.
Pep Guardiola’s side enter the tie with significant momentum. They recently beat Arsenal to secure the Carabao Cup trophy. The Citizens have already defeated the Reds twice in the Premier League this season.
Moreover, City are currently on a record-equalling run of 17 consecutive home wins in this competition. Victory today would see them surpass the record set by Clapham Rovers in 1881.
Liverpool arrive in Manchester seeking to salvage their season after domestic setbacks. Arne Slot’s men recently lost to Brighton in the league. Consequently, the FA Cup represents a vital chance for silverware.
The Reds have won each of the last four FA Cup meetings against City. Furthermore, they have progressed from 17 of their last 19 quarter-final appearances. This match also marks the first game since Mohamed Salah confirmed his summer departure.
Manchester City vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 4 April 2026
- Kick-off: 12:45 BST
- Venue: Etihad Stadium
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: Paul Howard
- Last Meeting: Liverpool 1–2 Manchester City (8 Feb 2026, Premier League)
Team news
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal today. Notably, Marc Guehi is available after playing for Crystal Palace in earlier rounds. Ruben Dias and John Stones remain doubts following recent fitness issues. Erling Haaland aims to score in his fourth consecutive home appearance against the Reds.
Liverpool
Arne Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah and Jeremie Frimpong are fit. Alexander Isak returns to the squad after 101 days out with injury. However, he is expected to start on the bench. Alisson Becker remains sidelined, so Giorgi Mamardashvili continues in goal. Curtis Jones could become the first Red since 1996 to score in three successive rounds.
Form
Manchester City
The Citizens have won every FA Cup match outside of semi-finals and finals since 2018. They are chasing an eighth successive semi-final appearance. This is already an ongoing competition record. City have won 19 of their last 21 FA Cup matches.
Liverpool
Liverpool have won all four penalty shootouts they have contested in FA Cup history. They last won away to Premier League opposition at this stage in 2006. Significantly, the Reds have scored in 14 of their last 17 visits to the Etihad. They seek their first FA Cup semi-final since winning the trophy in 2022.
Predicted lineups
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-3-3): Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki
Liverpool Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
How to Watch Manchester City vs Liverpool?
The match is televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 11:30 BST.
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