Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction

Liverpool vs Manchester City prediction: Anfield’s tense Sunday

Liverpool vs Manchester City prediction day comes with that familiar Anfield feeling: part noise, part nerves, and part “please, not another injury update.” On Sunday, 8 February 2026 (16:30 GMT), Liverpool and City meet at a point in the season where every pass feels like it comes with league-table consequences and a small medical report attached.

Context first: form, pressure, and a very busy physio room

Liverpool arrive in 6th with 39 points, trying to turn an uneven start to 2026 into something that looks like a Champions League charge. City sit 2nd on 47 points, six behind Arsenal, which means dropped points here feel expensive. If you’re wondering why both fanbases sound slightly stressed, that’s your answer.

• Match details: 2026-02-08, 16:30 GMT, Anfield. Referee: Craig Pawson.
• Liverpool recent league run: W-D-L-W-D (latest: 4-1 vs Newcastle, then 3-2 Bournemouth, 1-1 Burnley, 0-0 Arsenal, 2-2 Fulham).
• Man City recent league run: D-W-W-D-D, including a 2-2 vs Spurs where they managed to drop a two-goal lead.

How the game might look: patched-up roles and familiar habits

Arne Slot’s problem is not ideas; it’s bodies. With Conor Bradley out for the season, Jeremie Frimpong expected to miss out, and Joe Gomez highly doubtful, Liverpool have been forced into improvisation. Recently, Dominik Szoboszlai has even been used at right-back, which is either tactical bravery or the football version of “we’ll figure it out later.” Liverpool also added 18-year-old French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, a signing that screams “we needed legs, any legs.”

City’s plan is more stable in theory: control the ball, squeeze the pitch, and let Erling Haaland (20 league goals) do Haaland things. But the recent draws have shown a softer side defensively, and injuries haven’t helped. Jeremy Doku is out for a short spell, Mateo Kovačić is sidelined until mid-March, and both John Stones and Joško Gvardiol have been carrying issues. City reacted by bringing in Marc Guéhi for cover, while Pep Guardiola at least welcomed Ruben Dias back into training this week.

Head to head notes and a couple of storylines

The most recent head to head on 2024-12-01 ended 2-0 to Liverpool, a reminder that Anfield can turn City’s calm possession into nervous recycling. And Liverpool just proved they can travel and suffer: on 2026-01-08 they held Arsenal away (0-0) despite being priced at 6.2 to win. Not pretty, but very useful.

Off the pitch, there’s the usual manager-noise too: whispers about Liverpool’s long-term plans around Slot, and the annual “is this Pep’s last season?” question. The football will decide more than the rumours, but the tension feeds the atmosphere.

Betting odds snapshot

The market leans slightly Liverpool, but not by much. These betting odds suggest a tight game with goals very possible given the defensive absences.

• Home win: 2.45
• Draw: 3.75
• Away win: 2.95
• Squad value: Liverpool €1.04bn vs Man City €1.31bn

Our NerdyTips angle: predictions, total goals, and a score call

Now for the numbers side of this Liverpool vs Manchester City prediction. Our AI keeps circling back to goals, which makes sense: City’s recent habit of conceding late and Liverpool’s reshuffled defence are a friendly mix for neutral fans and a less-friendly mix for goalkeepers.

Main pick: Over 2.5 total goals

Over 2.5 goals is flagged as the standout play at odds 1.6, with confidence 4.0/10 (and our under/over model shows 4.1/10). That’s not “all-in” confidence, but it is the clearest signal. If Liverpool’s right side is patched again and City’s back line is still juggling personnel, three goals is a realistic target.

1X2 lean: Liverpool to win

Our 1X2 model leans to Liverpool win (1) at around 2.45 odds, with a modest trust level of 2.8. The logic is simple: Anfield plus City’s recent defensive wobble can tilt fine margins, even if City’s overall squad value and depth remain superior on paper.

• Predicted half-time score: 1-0
• Predicted final score: 2-1

In short, this Liverpool vs Manchester City prediction reads like a match where control will be contested, mistakes may be forced, and the total goals line matters more than usual. Expect tension early, chances later, and at least one moment where both benches look like they want an extra full-back delivered to the touchline.