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Darwin Nunez of Liverpool reacts at full-time following the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park(Image: 2025 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)

Liverpool will be looking to inflict further misery on Manchester City when they travel to the Etihad on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who currently trail the Reds by 17 points, were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday at the knockout play-offs stage.

While City were in action in Spain, Arne Slot’s men were facing Aston Villa at Villa Park.



And while they were held to a 2-2 draw by Unai Emery’s side, Liverpool still managed to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

Slot made just the one change against the West Midlands outfit as Curtis Jones came in for Luis Diaz.

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Losing Conor Bradley to injury against the Villans, and with Cody Gakpo still a doubt after not yet returning to training, the ECHO takes a look at the changes Slot could make at the Etihad…

Back five picks itself

With Andy Robertson putting in a much-improved performance against Villa and Liverpool losing Bradley to injury, the back five for the trip to Man City arguably picks itself and is expected to remain unchanged.

Slot has managed Trent Alexander-Arnold carefully following his recent return from injury, but he’ll likely have to play the full 90 minutes at the Etihad after seeing his deputy sidelined.

With Joe Gomez also injured, Jarell Quansah is the only alternative if fielded out of his favoured position.

Meanwhile, Kostas Tsimikas is an alternative to Robertson if Slot wants fresh legs against Man City.

One man drops out

Slot pulled a surprise by naming four midfielders in his starting XI at Villa Park, with Jones stationed on the left-wing.

It would admittedly be an even bigger surprise if the quartet all retained their starting berths.

One of Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister is likely to drop to the bench, with the homegrown star perhaps the probable unfortunate star.

Ryan Gravenberch is expected to keep his place at number six, with Wataru Endo the only natural replacement but also yet to start a Premier League game this season.

Diaz returns as Liverpool sweat over Gakpo

Utilised only as a substitute against Aston Villa, Diaz is likely to return to the starting XI against Man City.

Otherwise, Diogo Jota will continue at centre-forward against Man City.

After Slot criticised his work-rate against Aston Villa, Darwin Nunez is unlikely to be handed a start after another disappointing display off the bench.
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