An unbeaten opening gives Iraola early momentum, but Manchester City provide a far stronger examination than the initial run of fixtures. The visitors are also the focus of the weekend’s main talking points, adding pressure to a contest already carrying substantial attention.
The timing matters too. The game comes as the Premier League returns after the international break, when late fitness updates and altered momentum can have an immediate impact. Neither side can assume that pre-break form will transfer cleanly into a high-pressure meeting at Anfield.
Predicted lineups offer an early guide, but confirmed selections will define the tactical contest. Readers will be able to follow:
For Liverpool, the central question is how Iraola’s unbeaten start holds against City’s control and attacking threat. For the visitors, the trip places their performance under the spotlight before the match has even begun.
A fixture of this scale can change quickly, making minute-by-minute updates especially valuable. The live hub is scheduled to begin from 4pm on Sunday, with kickoff at 4.30pm. That gives supporters a route from team news and predictions to the decisive moments at Anfield.
The next storyline to watch is whether Iraola can turn an unbeaten beginning into a statement result against Manchester City.