Foden banned, Semenyo doubt as City chase third straight Liverpool win

📰 Unbeaten leaders Manchester City head to Anfield short of several key players. 📌 Key points 🟥 Foden misses out as he serves the last game of his derby ban. 🦶 Semenyo left the Ghana squad with a swollen ankle and is a doubt. 🩹 O'Reilly also returned early from England duty and is being assessed. 🔥 City have won their last three meetings with Liverpool. 🎩 Haaland scored a hat-trick in April's 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win. 📝 What happened 🟥 Foden was sent off early in the Manchester derby for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, with VAR confirming the red card. The violent conduct charge carried a three-match domestic ban: he has already missed the League Cup tie with Norwich and the Sunderland game, and Liverpool is the final match. The ban does not apply in the Champions League. 🦶 Semenyo scored twice in the 5-3 win over Sunderland before withdrawing from the Ghana squad with a swollen leg. He has played every minute of City's five league games, so his absence would be a real blow. 🩹 O'Reilly also returned early from England duty, while Haaland asked to come off against Portugal and is being assessed. Sky Sports reported that all three are being monitored. 📈 City have won all five league games (15 points) and lead second-placed Arsenal by three points. Liverpool are sixth on nine points, unbeaten with two wins and three draws. 📊 By the numbers • City have won the last three meetings (3-0, 2-1, 4-0) • April's FA Cup quarter-final: City 4-0, Haaland hat-trick • Haaland has five goals in the last three meetings, per Goal • Six points separate the sides (15 v 9) 👀 What to watch 🎯 Replacing Foden — who fills Foden's role behind the striker is Maresca's first big call, and it could shape the game. 🦶 Semenyo's fitness — he has played every league minute this season. Without him, City's wide attack will look different. 🎩 Haaland v Liverpool — with five goals in the last three meetings, per Goal, his fitness is the key variable. 🛡️ Something has to give — either City's perfect league record or Liverpool's unbeaten run could end here. 🔭 Why it matters It is City's first game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules, and a big pointer for the title race after the three-week break. Three days later, on 14 October, they host PSG in the Champions League. Kick-off is 4.30pm BST on Sunday 11 October at Anfield.