Liverpool vs Manchester City: Premier League preview, predictions & bet builder tips

• Liverpool vs Man City expected to end all square after an entertaining clash

• Hugo Ekitike and Rayan Cherki backed to impress on a huge night at Anfield

• Dominik Szoboszlai tipped to pick up a booking as Liverpool's makeshift right back

Ahead of Sunday's Premier League showpiece, Ladbrokes shares its Liverpool vs Man City preview and predictions, with expert bet builder tips and live odds.

Both teams come into this one in desperate need of points as they look to put pressure on the rest of the league, with uncharacteristic runs of poor form causing Liverpool and City to slowly lose ground on the teams above them.

In what has become one of the Premier League's most intriguing fixtures, two of the country's heavyweights are sure to close out the weekend's action with an hour and a half of pure entertainment.

Below, you can find our expert Liverpool vs Man City bet builder - and don't forget to check out our predictions for every Premier League game this weekend.

• Fixture: Liverpool vs Manchester City

• Date: Sunday, 8 February, 2026

• Kick-off: 16:30 GMT

• Venue: Anfield

Our prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City

One win in six Premier League games is disastrous form by both of these teams' standards, so Liverpool and Man City both come into this one with a point to prove. The reigning champions host the wannabe champions, and on a huge night under the lights at a noisy Anfield, we're predicting an entertaining score draw - which doesn't really help either side.

Predicted lineup (4-3-2-1): Alisson / Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez / Gravenberch, Mac Allister / Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo / Ekitike

Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma / Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly / Rodri, Gonzalez / Cherki, Foden, Semenyo / Haaland

In what has been a disappointing campaign so far for Liverpool, summer signing Hugo Ekitike has regularly looked a class above, with his brace against Newcastle last week taking his Premier League tally into double figures - and we're backing him to find the net again here.

The Frenchman is far-and-away Liverpool's top scorer in the league, and with Ekitike averaging almost a shot on target per game, he's always in with a chance of getting his name on the scoresheet. Against a City defence who conceded twice at Spurs last week, the 23-year-old will be raring to go, and we think his pace, strength, and finishing ability will see him get the better of the visiting backline on a number of occasions - with the striker firing past Donnarumma at some point.

Another summer signing who has impressed in his debut season is Manchester City's Rayan Cherki, whose technical ability on both feet has blown people away - and we're backing him to create the opening for at least one shot on target on Sunday.

The playmaker has become a key man for Pep Guardiola in that Man City midfield, with seven assists putting him second in the Premier League standings, and a goal at Spurs last weekend continued his fine start to 2026. Eighteen minutes off the bench in City's Carabao Cup semi-final win on Wednesday suggest he's in line for a start at Anfield, and against an out-of-form Reds side whose defensive record leaves much to be desired, we think he'll have 1+ shots on target.

Being deployed as a makeshift right back in the absence of a natural, Dominik Szoboszlai will face a tough afternoon against the likes of Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush, or whoever lines up on the left-hand side for Man City - and we think he'll pick up a booking on a tough night.

Arguably Liverpool's player of the season so far, Szoboszlai has already picked up five Premier League yellows this term, and averaging almost a foul a game doesn't help his case here. The hosts will try to have the lion's share of possession, with Liverpool the only team with more possession (on average) than City, but the visitors' fast breaks could easily catch the unorthodox Liverpool backline out.

We also think they could target Szoboszlai's side as an unnatural member of the back four, so we're tipping the Hungarian to be shown a card this weekend.

Wrapping up our Liverpool vs Man City bet builder and predictions, we're anticipating a draw between two of the division's most fearsome opponents. One win in six league games for both teams suggests they're not quite firing to their full potential, and despite City running away with the reverse fixture, we think the Anfield factor could play a huge part in nullifying them here.

Nearly 50% of recent Premier League games between Liverpool and City have ended all square, with five of the last 11 seeing the points get shared, and Ladbrokes wouldn't be surprised to see history repeat itself this weekend. City's superior squad has been hit by a mini injury crisis, but with Liverpool's home form not living up to its incredible standards, Pep Guardiola's title chasers will still be full of confidence.

They haven't won at Anfield since February 2021, however, so we're backing a hard-fought draw to close out the Premier League weekend.

You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create a Liverpool vs Manchester City Bet Builder.

With Bet Builder+, you can combine your bet with selections not only with other Premier League matches, but also with different sports.

Also make sure you read our take on this week's 1-2-Free promotion, where three correct predictions can win you a share of £10,000.

View the latest football odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.