The historic rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool reignites as they prepare to meet in Sunday’s high‑stakes Premier League showdown at Anfield.
While Liverpool have traditionally been seen as the favourites in this fixture, recent form has shifted the advantage toward Manchester City.
Manchester City, recently in the spotlight due to serious financial breach allegations, top the Premier League table with 15 points, six points clear of Liverpool, who sit in sixth place.
Sunday’s encounter will mark the 202nd meeting between the clubs in all competitions, with Liverpool holding a clear edge in the head‑to‑head record — 95 wins to City’s 53, alongside 53 draws.
As Enzo Maresca prepares to face Andoni Iraola this weekend, Al Jazeera revisits five of the most memorable Liverpool‑Manchester City encounters.
Liverpool 4-3 Manchester City (January 14, 2018 – Premier League)
We start with this seven‑goal Premier League thriller from eight years ago.
Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain put Liverpool ahead early at Anfield, before Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah struck in an eight‑minute burst after halftime to stretch the lead to 4‑1.
Manchester City replied with two goals in the final six minutes, courtesy of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gündogan, leaving Liverpool to defend a slender advantage.
The outcome boosted Liverpool’s push for a top‑four finish and snapped City’s unbeaten streak that campaign.
Despite the loss, Manchester City went on to claim the league title that season with a record 100 points, while Liverpool finished fourth.
Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City (April 13, 2014 – Premier League)
This fixture dates back further and is another high‑scoring affair.
Played on the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, in which 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives, a ten‑man Liverpool side edged Manchester City 3‑2 in a gripping title‑race encounter.
Early goals from Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel gave Liverpool the advantage, but City responded through David Silva and a Glen Johnson own goal before Philippe Coutinho netted the winner twelve minutes from full time.
Coutinho capitalised on a loose clearance from Vincent Kompany inside the box, drilling the ball low into the corner as Anfield erupted in celebration of the ‘Little Magician’.
The win propelled Liverpool’s title challenge, yet Manchester City ultimately secured the league crown, finishing two points ahead of the Merseyside side.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool (January 3, 2019 – Premier League)
The next entry features a victory for Manchester City.
Sergio Agüero gave City an early lead with a first‑half strike, before Roberto Firmino levelled the score four minutes before the hour.
However, Leroy Sané secured the three points for the hosts, netting the winner in the 72nd minute.
Following a swift counter‑attack, Sterling found the advancing Sané on the left flank just outside the box; Sané’s left‑footed effort struck the inside of the post before rolling into the bottom corner.
The defeat marked Liverpool’s first loss of the season, ending a 20‑match unbeaten run.
City narrowed Liverpool’s lead at the summit to four points and went on to lift the trophy, edging out the Reds by a single point.
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City (November 10, 2019 – Premier League)
This fixture took place during the first season impacted by the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Goals from Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané powered the Reds to an impressive 3‑1 home victory over the reigning champions.
The game is best remembered by Liverpool supporters for Fabinho’s spectacular strike, as the Brazilian unleashed the ball from roughly 25 yards (23 metres) out.
The result also stretched Liverpool’s lead at the top to eight points and stands as a defining moment in their campaign, marking the end of their 30‑year wait for a league title.
That season Liverpool amassed 99 points, finishing a staggering 18 points clear of second‑placed Manchester City.
Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City (April 4, 2018 – Champions League quarterfinal, first leg)
Our list concludes with a Champions League encounter.
Liverpool struck three times within the first half‑hour, tearing apart their opponents in the opening leg of this UEFA Champions League quarter‑final.
Once again, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain found the net as Liverpool seized control of the tie.
Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s powerful effort—a thunderous strike from outside the box—stood out as the highlight of the match.
Liverpool advanced to the final, only to be defeated by Real Madrid.
