Manchester City vs Liverpool - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates with Reds in charge as they look to go 11 points clear... unless Pep's struggling champions can mount a late comeback

Those Liverpool fans truly believe this title is there's now.

They are belting out 'We're going to win the league' as their team are set to go 11 points clear.

They are about to have one hell of a party when that whistle is blown.

Mohamed Salah, take a bow son.

The Egyptian is taken off by Arne Slot and my word what a shift he has put in today.

I will talk more about him after the final whistle, but that is the best I have seen a player play at the Etihad for some time.

He is replaced by Harvey Elliott, while Trent Alexander-Arnold also comes off for Jarell Quansah.

Four more minutes until Manchester City's misery is over.

Liverpool are truly coasting on the patch of their old enemy, this is has been the most professional of displays.

And it's so close to being finished.

I reckon Manchester City could play all night and they still wouldn't score a goal.

They have been camped outside the Liverpool box pretty much all half but have never looked like scoring.

Utterly toothless.

Those Liverpool fans are having a party in that corner.

It seems they think this game is done, they are jumping around like we are back in 1965.

The last time they thought the job was done was at Goodison Park, and we know what happened there.

To be fair though, this feels different.

That would have been game, set, and match if not for Abdukodir Khusanov.

Manchester City make a mess of things at the back (yet again) and Mohmed Salah slides through Dominik Szoboszlai.

Sound familiar?

Well, this time Khusanov gets back to slide across and block the shot at the pivotal moment.

That really would have been game over.

The Etihad is just so, so flat. I can even see some people leaving.

Some of these Manchester City fans seem to have lost hope, even though it's only 2-0.

They've had a lot of fun over these last few years, but these days they are in the midst of a gloomy storm.

And no, I am not just talking about how rubbish the weather is in Manchester right now.

I mean, it is terrible.

Now this is a sight Liverpool fans will be happy to see.

Cody Gakpo has been out injured the last couple of games, but he is back in red once again.

The Dutchman replaces Luis Diaz for the final part of this game.

Pep Guardiola really is going for it now.

He makes a triple substitution and brings on some of his big guns in a late attempt to get something here.

Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gundogan, and Mateo Kovacic are all on for the last 13 minutes or so.

Nathan Ake, Nico Gonzalez, and Omar Marmoush all make way.

There is that Mohamed Salah outball again.

I mean, you can see why they do it. Salah has just had two players on him and somehow come out with the ball in the area.

He then sets his sights on the top corner with his classic strike, but Ederson gathers the ball.

That would have been one hell of a goal.

I thought that was the moment!

Savinho has really started to cause Liverpool some problems and all of a sudden Nico Gonzalez clips the ball into him.

The winger then slides the ball across goal, but Rico Lewis can only find the side-netting.

They are getting closer...

Now it's Arne Slot's turn to make some changes.

Savinho has started to get past Andre Robertson at will, so Slot decides to take him off.

He is replaced by... you guessed it - Kostas Tsimikas.

Curtis Jones then also notices his number is up and his head drops to the floor, he looks gutted that his goal was chalked off.

Wataru Endo is on for the Scouser.

This almost has the feel of a training session, this is so weird.

It's almost like this is a Manchester City attacking drill where they have to break down a low block.

They almost do as the ball is clipped to Jeremy Doku at the back post and he gets set to let rip.

Let rip of a shot he does, but it's straight into the arms of Alisson.

Liverpool have gone back to camping in their own box again.

Manchester City are having all of the ball but they are just greeted by the red ball every single time.

The Reds are defending incredibly well, but there is still a very long way to go in this.

One City goal and we will have a contest.

Fair play, Luis Diaz... that is top-class work.

The Colombian is given a hospital pass by Curtis Jones just outside of his own box, but somehow wriggles free of four bodies before getting to the halfway line.

Ultimately, he is pressured into giving the ball away, but the run was simply superb.

Pep Guardiola turns to the bench.

Kevin De Bruyne has been miles off his best so it's no surprise that he is the paler to be hooked.

The Belgian is replaced by James McAtee, who certainly knows where the back of the net is.

Can he make the difference?

That really is a top save from Ederson!

Luis Diaz has not been at his best today but he suddenly turns back the clock with a wonderful effort.

The winger races down the left, cuts inside, and pings a lovely effort hurtling toward the top corner.

But the Brazilian stopper does well to get a hand to it.

OK, maybe I spoke a little too soon.

That little flurry from Manchester City didn't last long and Liverpool are on the front foot again.

Andrew Robertson has a pop following a corner, but he proves exactly why he is a defender.

Yep, he smashes the ball miles over the bar.

City fans giving the linesman dogs abuse in front of the press box for missing that offside against Szoboszlai. But that, frankly, is how VAR is supposed to work.

Keep your flag down if you are not sure and let the technology do its work. The important thing is that the right decision was reached in the end.

Football is such an odd game, isn't it?

That decision has completely changed the mood inside the Etihad and now Manchester City have come to life.

Omar Marmoush is slid in behind and just like his disallowed effort, he smashes the ball across Alisson. This time though, it goes wide.

There is then a roar from the home crowd, they are alive again.

It won't stand!

I told you, Dominik Szoboszlai slightly mistimed his run and VAR has chalked off the goal.

Manchester City are just about still in this match... and I mean just.

Hang on a second...

Dominik Szoboszlai definitely went too early and VAR is going to take a look at this.

I'm pretty sure it will be chalked off.

Liverpool are running away with it!

Curtis Jones sends the away end into pandemonium with one of the easiest goals he will ever score.

Dominik Szoboszlai is sent racing away, he then squares the ball for Jones to tap home the third.

Szoboszlai did look offisde though...

The outball to Mohamed Salah is being abused by Liverpool right now, they are loving it.

Every time he is free, somebody just pings a pass in his direction.

This time he majestically takes down the ball from a Virgil van Dijk long pass, and has a run at Josko Gvardiol.

In the end, though, the changes goes begging.

Ohhhh... that is such a stunning ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

We know how good the lad is at passing, but he has just played a ridiculous outside-of-the-boot pass to send Mohamed Salah away.

Salah then races into the box but nobody can get on the end of his trivela cross.

That was a filthy bit of football.

Mo Salah has emerged for the second half having swapped long sleeves for short. He clearly means business now, then.

Meanwhile, I asked a few questions at half-time about Liverpool’s set pieces and was told they don’t have a coach carrying that specific title.

However, the chap who does most of the work and who will have been responsible for the first goal is first team development coach Aaron Briggs – who spent nine years here at City.

I say that adaptability is good, but this will be a tough watch for those Liverpool fans if their side continues to sit this deep.

It might be working, which is important, but my word it is dull to watch at times.

I can't remember the last time I saw a Liverpool team defend as deep as they are today.

We talk about teams being adaptable in the modern era, with Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim not really following that mantra.

Well, Arne Slot is showing how important it is here - it's working.

Most of the Manchester City fans have not come back out after their pie and a pint.

I'm guessing they are trying to make the break last as long as possible after that first half.

They have not had a great time in those stands this season.

Liverpool really have kept Manchester City waiting here.

City were out a good two minutes before the visitors came back out from their team talk.

I wonder what Arne Slot was saying to them?

Anyway, the quick 15-minute break is now over and we are back underway.

A lot of people spent a lot of the season talking about how Gabriel and William Saliba were the best centre half pairing in the league. Today, Van Dijk and Konate said 'hold our pints'.

Roy Keane, former Manchester United captain, on Sky Sports:

Liverpool have been excellent. You're looking at the champions there. It's been a great weekend or them so far. They just can't relax now. Get the job done.

I love the brutality of top-level sport. Man City have been amazing last few years but you're looking at Liverpool now and they are the new champions.

We all love watching limbs in the away end, it's the best part of the game in my opinion.

Well, they are just fun to watch.

Just look at these celebrations from the Liverpool fans at the Etihad, they went absolutely mental after taking the lead.

Top-tier limbs.

Now, do you want to see Mohamed Salah's goal?

I mean, unless you are a Manchester City fan reading this, I am guessing that you do.

Liverpool have struggled from set-pieces this season, they rarely score from them, but this was a top-drawer corner routine.

The flick from Dominik Szoboszlai is a joke, don't you think?

Then as soon as the ball comes Salah's way, you just know where it was ending up.

It was the perfect way to open the scoring.

Mohamed Salah just can't be stopped this season, can he?

It's actually getting silly at this point, he just delivers goals and assists every week for the Reds.

It's been no different today, even away at a stadium where he has had some struggles over the years.

Salah has now both scored and assisted a goal in 49 separate league matches in his career in Europe's big-five leagues.

Since Opta have had this data available, from 2006-07, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have done so more in those divisions.

He's up there with the greats of the game.

Oh dear... what is that from Kevin De Bruyne?

the Belgian sums up Manchester City's season by ending the half with one of the worst efforts I have seen this weekend.

It nearly goes out of the stadium.

The whistle is then blown and the Premier League champions-elect are two goals to the good away at the old enemy.

It has been about as professional of a display as they could have wished for here.

So far, so good for Arne Slot's side.

Liverpool are camped out in their own box, they just want to get to half-time with their two-goal lead intact.

They have two more minutes to see out until the whistle.

I think I have just seen the weirdest turn ever by Luis Diaz.

He jumps about a mile up into the air and over the ball before spinning 360 degrees and running forward.

It's certainly unique and was sort of effective.

In the end, Diaz was smothered by about four City midfielders so did lose the ball.

I’ve been back from holiday for five minutes and football has made a fool of me – again.

Superb counter-attacking goal from Liverpool and all of City’s dominance is so far counting for nothing.

Alexander-Arnold has had a rough time defensively so  far but as is so often the case his part in the goal was pivotal.

That was the perfect time for Liverpool to score, it really was.

It's fair to say, the visitors have been under the cosh for a lot of this game - second best.

But they rode out that tricky spell and landed a second and huge punch on this City side.

Not long before half-time either, which is also big.

Dominik Szoboszlai makes it two!

Mohamed Salah is involved once again as he is clipped in over the top by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Salah races away and then cuts the ball back for Szoboszlai to stroke into the bottom corner.

That is a mammoth goal in this title race!

If the pattern of this game stays the same there is no way Liverpool are winning it. City are dominating the ball and dictating the tempo.. The best thing about it for Liverpool is the score – which admittedly is quite important.

Oh, now maybe I should be quiet...

Just after I take aim at Liverpool, they play the most stunning football of the match.

The Reds move from back to front with elegance before Trent Alexander-Arnold sees a low cross put behind for a corner.

He just needed to get his head up and find Dominik Szoboszlai with a cutback, and that would have been too.

Still, lovely, lovely footie.

Arne Slot is not a happy chappy!

He is giving his side a right rollicking as Alexis Mac Allister receives treatment for his knock.

I think that's very fair. They might be winning, but my word the visitors have been off the pace.

Anyway, Mac Allister is OK to continue.

Oh, what a finish that is from Omar Marmoush... but the flag is up.

Manchester City's forward sneaks in behind the Liverpool defence and hammers in the ball off of the post.

But he was quite comfortably offside, so his celebrations are rightly cut short.

Alexis Mac Allister seems to have picked up a knock in the middle of it all, which is worrying for Liverpool.

A warning sign for the visitors, that.

Just been wondering here whether Erling Haaland’s record of 36 goals in a single Premier League season is under threat by Mo Salah. Twenty-five already, 12 games left? Would you bet against him?

I mentioned this to Mr Ladyman sat beside me and he doesn’t seem overly fussed by the prospect so maybe it’s just me.

The Etihad is so, so flat.

Every single time that Manchester City misplace a pass, there are huge groans from the home fans.

It's been the story of City's season, it really has.

Even so, it's not like the Liverpool fans are making much racket in the corner at the moment.

They are deafly silent too.

We can be sniffy – and we sometimes are – about set piece coaches and all the rest of it. But that was marvellous from Liverpool.

Yes, Ederson would have saved it but for the deflection but it was still a wonderfully clever piece of work from the green spaces of Liverpool’s training ground.

City looking good in the wide areas here with Jeremy Doku having a field day against Trent Alexander-Arnold so far. Savinho has looked bright too.

The problem is that no one is in the middle for them to aim for when they have beaten their man and Liverpool are shutting attacks down.

It's been all Manchester City since the goal.

Liverpool really are letting them play and now Omar Marmoush forces Alisson into a save from distance.

It's a really bizarre game. City aren't playing that well but they are having the better of the ball.

But they are losing, so that doesn't really matter right now.

Jeremy Doku really is getting a lot of joy down that Citry left.

He has Trent Alexander-Arnold on toast at times, but is just not making him pay with the final product.

City have responded well to going behind, but you just can't trust their backline at the moment.

It’s now 30 goals this season for Mohamed Salah. Premier League player of the season? No doubt. Ballon d’Or? He’s certainly on the podium. It is bonkers then to consider the fact that he has still not been signed up for next season.

Mohamed Salah is just a joke, isn't he?

That is now 30 goals for the season in all competitions for the Liverpool winger, and his 25th in the Premier League.

We are still only in February...

If I was Erling Haaland, I would be worried about my 36-goal league record.

It just had to be him!

Mohamed Salah nets for the eighth game on the spin to silence the Etihad Stadium.

It's a really clever corner that is flicked on by the boot of Dominik Szoboszlai for Salah to finish via a deflection.

That is exactly what this Liverpool side needed after what had been a really slow start.

Advantage, the league leaders.

That's much better from Liverpool.

Finally, one of them actually decides to have a go at this Manchester City defence.

Of course, it's Mohamed Salah. He dances past several players before making his way into the area, but just takes on touch too many.

Moments later, Luis Diaz finds himself in after a City mistake at the back, but his cross is put behind for a corner.

My word, that is one hell of a ball from Kevin De Bruyne.

Like a quarterback in American football, the Belgian arrows a ball over the top to send Savinho through.

The winger has two team-mates with him, but in the end, Andy Robertson manages to clear.

I will want to watch that pass again later, mind... magical.

Liverpool formation is interesting. We expected to see Luis Diaz through the middle up front but he is very much out on the left side so far.

As strange as it sounds, it’s actually Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai who are sharing the role at the top of the Liverpool formation. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are on the bench.

Manchester City have not started like a side lacking in confidence, they are on the front foot.

Phil Foden looks to test Alisson from miles out and of course, he has no luck against the Brazilian.

But if anything, it's Liverpool who look the shakier side here.

Having had a week away, it’s been interesting to watch how the Premier League has changed its shape a little over recent days.

Certainly yesterday’s result at the Emirates felt huge at the time and it will be fascinating now to see if Liverpool can take strength from Arsenal’s weakness.

In terms of this game’s individual match-ups, the left-sided Man City axis of Doku and Marmoush will certainly provide a challenge for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

In fact as I type this, they have combined to create a dangerous overload down that flank…

Oh dear, Luis Diaz...

There are ironic cheers as the Colombian slips over the ball as he looks to take on Rico Lewis in the area.

It was as if his legs couldn't keep up with the idea in his head, it made me chuckle.

This has been an odd start, I have to say.

Liverpool have had the opportunities to have a go at Manchester City but look scared to do it.

It's giving the hosts a bit more confidence and the crowd too. The hosts are starting to move forward in numbers.

The Reds can't allow City to get confident here...

Jeez, that is not what Pep Guardiola would have wanted to see early doors.

Manchester City give the ball away by their own box and Dominik Szoboszlai looks to pounce.

But his shot is really poor, he has to really drive at City there but he decides to go from distance.

That won't help the nerves in the crowd, though.

Blue Moon has just been blasted out and these Manchester City fans are really up for this.

Are they going to witness their team turn back the clock and deliver against Liverpool again?

We are about to find out...

Thanks, Rob!

I have come at exactly the right time as the two teams have just come out of the tunnel for this huge match.

I simply can't wait for this to get going, it has been the biggest match in the Premier League title race for the past seven years.

Well, this year's meeting sees just the Reds in that race.

I'm sure those players in red won't be too confident though, none of them have ever won at the Etihad.

This is still a very tough place to go and the fans are trying to make it a cauldron of noise.

It's very, very loud in there.

I'm subbing myself off now to make way for Mail Sport's Mr Live, Harry Bamforth, who will guide you through today's big game.

Over to you Harry...

This starting XI is an abandonment of what Pep Guardiola's City are all about: one actual central midfielder in Nico Gonzalez anchoring five attack-minded players in front of him. City forgo control in search of loads of goals – today could be anything.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports, has just explained why Erling Haaland is not involved today:

Yesterday after training he didn't feel good. During these nine years we played many seasons without really important players and we survived. This season, we have had a lot of injuries and we could not survive, but in specific games we have to do it.

Both sides have completed the majority of their warm-ups.

Liverpool's players and staff seem very relaxed ahead of the game.

Meanwhile, Jack Grealish looked sharp but he is only starting on the City bench.

Manchester City and Liverpool will do well to beat the entertainment witnessed at St James' Park in today's early game.

Newcastle have just beaten their top-four rivals in a seven-goal thriller.

Click below to read Mail Sport's match report.

This is a tough one to call but I'm fully expecting goals at both ends.

I fancy a 2-2 draw but Alan Shearer is backing Liverpool to take all three points.

Shearer told Betfair earlier this week: 'This is a tough game to call. I think that if John Stones is injured and also Erling Haaland then I’m not convinced City can bounce back.

'They battered Newcastle and rightly so, but I still think that they’ve got big issues in that team defensively, so I am going to go for an away win to Liverpool.

'I know Liverpool are giving away chances as well, they are giving teams a little bit of hope, so I do think that Man City may score. But I just think that Man City, with the way they are defensively, Liverpool will score more.'

The narrative about today's result will largely be focussed on how many points Liverpool are clear of Arsenal.

But City have their own aspirations to worry about.

While a title challenge is not on the cards - because a win today would still leave them 14 points short - City need to make sure they qualify for next season's Champions League.

They are currently fourth, but only ahead of Newcastle on goal difference in the live table.

City can climb to third, above Nottingham Forest, by beating the champions elect today.

In terms of silverware, Pep Guardiola's men are still in the FA Cup - where they will face Plymouth, conquerors of Liverpool, early next month.

Arne Slot has been spotted having a chat with former Manchester United centre back Jaap Stam by the side of the Etihad pitch.

Slot will be hoping that a big performance from another iconic Dutch defender, in Virgil van Dijk, can help his side keep a clean sheet today.

However, City have scored at least one goal in each of their last 16 games.

The only teams to shut them out this season have been Juventus, Spurs, Inter Milan and Liverpool (in a 2-0 win at Anfield).

It is very unusual to see Manchester City listed as 11/5 underdogs to win a home game.

But today's betting odds are reflective of what has been their worst season for many a year.

City have already lost four times in 2025 alone. Those defeats have all come against top opposition - PSG, Arsenal and then twice against Real Madrid.

Liverpool are top opposition too, hence why they are priced as short as 11/10 to leave Manchester with all three points today.

Liverpool may have struggled at the Etihad Stadium in recent years but the Reds still have a winning head-to-head record against Man City over the Premier League era as a whole.

Today's game will be the 56th between these two sides in the modern top flight.

Liverpool have won 22 of the first 55, drawing 21 and losing 12.

The Reds have scored 84 Premier League goals against City, who have struck 74 in return.

City have been awarded six PL penalties against Liverpool but missed half of them. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been awarded five and converted five.

There have been 167 yellow cards (84 for Liverpool, 83 for City) and seven reds (two for Liverpool and five for City) issued in Premier League matches between these two sides.

Check out more stats below courtesy of our friends at Squawka.

If I was a City fan I'd be worried about the midfield battle.

Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, as we know, are superb players with the ball at their feet.

But off the ball, you would have to fancy Liverpool's trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai up against the aforementioned two and Nico Gonzalez.

The new midfielder has looked good, especially in the win over Newcastle, but it is a big ask for him to contain those today.

It'll be interesting also to see how Abdukodir Khusanov fares in central defence - it was well publicised how shaky he looked on debut but he has put in some strong displays since.

In some ways, the big team news is that Haaland is out.

I tend to think it's more important that Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are all in.

Not that there was a fitness doubt about any of them but a measured consistency has been the hallmark of Liverpool's wonderful season so far and if City's selection excites uncertainty, Liverpool's reassures.

Both sets of supporters are coming together to protest against rising ticket prices across the Premier League, with a banner display outside the foodbank collection spot outside the Etihad Stadium.

And a 'stop exploiting loyalty' banner is expected to be unveiled ahead of kick-off.

There may be no Erling Haaland but there is an intriguing battle in prospect between two Egyptian stars.

Liverpool's main attacking threat will be provided by their Egyptian King, Mo Salah, while City's could well come from Omar Marmoush, who has been dubbed the Egyptian Prince.

Marmoush scored a stunning first-half hat-trick eight days ago in a 4-0 win over Newcastle.

Can he deliver another fine display in front of the man he is seemingly destined to eventually succeed.

Good afternoon from a windy Etihad Stadium where I've just watched the team buses arrive and the big news is that there is NO Erling Haaland in the Manchester City squad.

As for Liverpool, Arne Slot has fielded a bizarre-looking attacking line with Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz making up a front four with Mohamed Salah.

I'd presume that's Jones on the left and Diaz down the middle but who knows...

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (captain), Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Mac Allister

Subs: Kelleher, Tsimikas, Quansah, Endo, Elliott, Nunez, Chiesa, Gakpo, Jota

Man City starting XI: Ederson, Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, Gvardiol, Nico, De Bruyne (captain), Savinho, Foden, Doku, Marmoush

Subs: Ortega, Dias, Kovacic, Grealish, Gundogan, Bernardo, Reis, Nunes, McAtee

Liverpool have proven over the course of this season so far that they are very much the best team in England.

However, they have only won three of their last seven games in all competitions, which equates to their worst run of results since the arrival of Arne Slot.

Both of Liverpool's losses during this seven-game period came after Slot made wholesale changes to his team - against PSV and Plymouth.

Liverpool will surely field their best available XI today (we will find out in just a few minutes).

But even their top boys have looked a little vulnerable in recent weeks, dropping points against Everton and Aston Villa, as well as being made to work very hard in last weekend's 2-1 win over Wolves.

Could this be a good time for Man City to face them?

We just asked if the title race would be over if Liverpool were to win today.

But former Arsenal star Paul Merson has already called it.

Speaking yesterday after the Gunners lost to West Ham, Merson claimed the title was 'one million per cent' heading to Anfield.

Merson also said that Liverpool could afford to lose '7-0' at the Etihad and still be uncatchable.

Arsenal threw the door wide open yesterday by losing at home to West Ham.

That result left Liverpool eight points ahead with 12 rounds of fixtures left to play.

Liverpool's first of their remaining 12 is today's trip to Manchester City at 4.30pm.

A win would take them 11 points clear. Would that signal the end of the title race?

This fixture was the Premier League's main event in three of the four years between 2019 and 2022.

City twice pipped Liverpool to the title by a single point (98 to 97 in 2018-19, and 93 to 92 in 2021-22) during that period, while the Reds finished a whopping 18 points ahead of Pep Guardiola's runners-up in the 2019-20 campaign.

Guardiola's City are not title contenders this time around as they started the day in fourth place, 17 behind leaders Liverpool.

However, this still has the potential to be one of Liverpool's toughest games of the season.

Liverpool beat City 2-0 at Anfield in December. But the Reds have not won at the Etihad Stadium in any of their last nine visits across all domestic competitions.

City have recorded some big wins during that sequence, including a 5-0, a 4-0, and a 4-1 as recently as April 2023.