7M - FA Cup Preview: Manchester City vs Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

Manchester City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday April 4 2026 for a high stakes FA Cup quarterfinal clash that could define both teams domestic campaigns. With attacking firepower on display and defensive questions to answer this fixture promises end to end action.

Manchester City arrive in formidable scoring form averaging 3.3 goals per game across their last ten matches with 33 goals scored and just eight conceded. They have kept three clean sheets in that period and boast an impressive FA Cup home record winning five of their last six ties at the Etihad with 25 goals netted and only four shipped. Recent results show resilience a 1-1 draw with West Ham a narrow 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Europe and a commanding 2-0 win over Arsenal demonstrate their capacity to respond under pressure.

Liverpool have also been potent in front of goal registering 28 strikes and conceding 11 in their previous ten outings with four clean sheets. Their last three matches delivered varied outcomes a 1-1 stalemate with Tottenham a dominant 4-0 victory against Galatasaray and a 2-1 loss to Brighton. On the road in the FA Cup Liverpool have won three of six away fixtures without recording a draw scoring ten and conceding eight.

Head to head history tilts toward Liverpool. The most recent meeting occurred on April 16 2022 at Wembley where Liverpool edged a 3-2 triumph. Manchester City have failed to win in their last three encounters against Liverpool across all competitions.

Team news presents challenges for both dugouts. Pep Guardiola is likely to be without key midfielder Rodri due to injury a significant blow to Citys control in the middle third. Liverpool face greater absences with Mohamed Salah ruled out through injury while Alexis Mac Allister and Andrew Robertson serve suspensions and will miss the trip to Manchester.

Key attacking threats include Omar Marmoush for Manchester City who has netted three goals in his last six FA Cup appearances. Liverpool will rely on their supporting cast to compensate for Salahs absence. Both teams have seen over 2.5 goals in six of their last ten matches suggesting an open high scoring contest is probable.

With fixture congestion intensifying and both sides balancing domestic cup duties with European commitments squad rotation and tactical discipline will be vital. Manchester Citys home advantage and recent FA Cup pedigree could prove decisive though Liverpools counter attacking threat remains ever present.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool