Only FOUR Liverpool stars make the cut as key men for Arne Slot’s side are omitted – while Pep Guardiola’s men dominate: Stats boffins reveal combined Liverpool v Man City XI

Liverpool‘s top-two rivalry with Manchester City may have cooled down after the drop in form of Arne Slot‘s men this season, but a home victory for the Reds on Sunday would see them move to within five points of their next opponents.

Slot’s role at Liverpool has been under scrutiny as they sit sixth in the table after a major summer spending spree.

But it’s just one defeat for Liverpool in their last 16 matches in all competitions, and they face a City side deprived of wins in five of their last six Premier League outings.

With Liverpool’s recent resurgence, how many of their players make it into Sofascore’s combined XI?

Who makes the Reds and Cityzens combined XI? Daily Mail Sport takes a look

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Heading into a first season in eight years without Ederson, who better to introduce between the sticks than last year’s Champions League and Yashin Trophy winner.

The Italian has proved to be reliable in big matches, winning the Premier League’s Save of the Month in September for a stop in the Manchester derby, so his latest challenge of Anfield could be another advert of his world-class calibre.

Sofascore rating: 7.01

Defender: Ibrahima Konate

It feels like the Reds have been fighting for Konate to sign a contract extension for an eternity, underlining the importance of his presence in the team at the back.

Scoring against Newcastle in his last match under the circumstances of a family grievance shows a character and personality Liverpool need to be able to reach the next level again.

Sofascore rating: 7.10

Defender: Marc Guehi

Pep Guardiola was successful in fending off competition from Liverpool and other European giants to secure Guehi’s signature in January.

And you can see why he was in demand with his calmness in the back-line, and the sheer attacking quality he can produce from set-pieces, managing six goal contributions this season before his move from Crystal Palace.

Sofascore rating: 7.24

Defender: Virgil van Dijk

Regarded as one of the greatest centre-backs in the history of world football, Van Dijk is still the rock at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

No matter how much criticism he receives for not being at his best anymore at 34, Erling Haaland won’t be best pleased to have to battle it out against him on Sunday during his Premier League goal drought.

Sofascore rating: 7.29

Midfielder: Ryan Gravenberch

The anchor who sews defence and attack together for Liverpool has also contributed with four goals in important moments for his side this season, with his effortless half-volley securing the Reds’ Goal of the Month Award last September.

If Liverpool are to stop City from playing on Sunday, much will be down to the physicality and positioning of the Dutchman.

Sofascore rating: 7.20

Midfielder: Rodri

Former Ballon d’Or and treble winner Rodri, on his day, makes everything tick around him, and he reads the game better than anyone else in the current game.

A nasty ACL injury stunted his progress and his side’s dominance in England, but now he’s back fit and in the team, City have a much better chance of building momentum again.

Sofascore rating: 7.35

Midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai

Able to fill in at right-back, and as a holding, box-to-box, or attacking midfielder. The Hungarian can do it all.

The free-kick maestro can find the net from any distance, and his ability alone was enough to crack Arsenal’s resistance from 32 yards out in their hardest home game on paper this season, so City’s walls will be shaking.

Sofascore rating: 7.13

Midfielder: Rayan Cherki

Whether he starts on the bench or gets the nod on the wing, Cherki’s dancing feet and his output are terrifying.

While he’s still new to the league this season and only 22 years old, Guardiola has already said there are moments he wants to ‘kiss him’.

Sofascore rating: 7.26

Midfielder: Phil Foden

City through and through, and capable of producing a string of goal-heavy performances, Foden rallied to six goals in four games when City were on their unstoppable streak at the end of 2025.

Time out of the 11 may have been what Foden needed to be able to bounce back now and recalibrate himself for the final part of the season.

Sofascore rating: 7.06

Midfielder: Antoine Semenyo

A fresh face signing from the Cherries in January, Semenyo ended his spell down on the coast with a 95th-minute winner against City’s bogey team, Tottenham, completely in line with the way his season has gone to date.

Arguably the most consistent winger in the league this season, the Ghanaian has conjured up 15 goal contributions already, and if anyone is going to put on a show in front of the Kop for City, you can rely on this man to deliver.

Sofascore rating: 7.10

Forward: Erling Haaland

The highest Sofascore rating and the league’s top goalscorer with 20 goals had to be included, after a blitz of a start saw him net 19 times in the opening 17 games.

But with just one Premier League goal in 2026 for the Norwegian, it would be a great time for him to rediscover his goalscoring touch against an inform Liverpool side to keep the pace up with Arsenal in first.

Sofascore rating: 7.42