Unbeaten leaders City head to Anfield to face Iraola's undefeated Reds

📰 League leaders Manchester City, perfect after five games, return from the international break with a trip to unbeaten Liverpool. 📌 Key points 🏆 City have won all five league games and lead the table on 15 points. 🛡️ Liverpool are sixth on nine points, unbeaten with two wins and three draws. 🟥 Phil Foden misses out through suspension after his derby red card. 🩺 Haaland, O'Reilly and Semenyo picked up fitness concerns on international duty. ⏰ Kick-off is 4.30pm on Sunday 11 October. 📝 What happened 📈 City have won all five league games under Enzo Maresca. They beat Manchester United 1-0 in the derby and won 5-3 against Sunderland just before the break, with Antoine Semenyo scoring twice. They also thrashed Norwich 5-0 in the Carabao Cup. 🔴 Liverpool are unbeaten under Andoni Iraola. According to Sky Sports they have kept three straight league clean sheets, and they beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League. Three draws in five games, though, leave them six points behind. 🤕 Haaland limped off in the 67th minute of Norway's game against Portugal on 5 October and awaits assessment. Nico O'Reilly left the England squad early, and Semenyo pulled out of Ghana's squad with a swollen leg. Foden is certain to miss out, as this is the final game of his three-match ban from the September derby. 🏥 Liverpool are without Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) and Conor Bradley (knee) long term, while Alexander Isak (thigh) and Cody Gakpo (ankle) are doubts after picking up knocks on international duty. 📊 By the numbers • City: W5 D0 L0, 15 points (1st), 2.6 goals scored per game • Liverpool: W2 D3 L0, 9 points (6th), 0.8 goals conceded per game • Last meeting: City won 4-0 (April, FA Cup quarter-final, Etihad) 👀 What to watch ⚡ Haaland's fitness — City's talisman asked to come off while on Norway duty. The scan results will decide whether he starts and could reshape City's attack. 🧱 Iraola's press vs City's build-up — Iraola has brought the aggressive high press of his Bournemouth days to Anfield. Can a defence on three straight clean sheets hold an attack scoring more than two a game? 🔁 Covering for Foden — with Foden suspended and Semenyo not fully fit, City's attacking midfield will look different. Maresca's press conference on Friday 9 October should bring a fuller injury picture. 🗓️ Champions League three days later — both sides play in Europe midweek, with City hosting PSG on 14 October, so rotation could be a factor. 🔭 Why it matters A City win would open a nine-point gap on Liverpool and tighten their grip at the top. It is also their first game since the 114-breach verdict. The match kicks off at 4.30pm UK time on Sunday 11 October at Anfield.