Everything changed when Jurgen Klopp left. Or at least, that was the script everyone wrote. People expected the Manchester City v. Liverpool fire to dim, thinking the Premier League would settle into a predictable "City wins everything" rhythm while Arne Slot figured out where the coffee machine was at Melwood.
Honestly? They were wrong.
Watching these two go at it in 2026 feels less like a fading memory and more like a high-speed evolution. We aren't just looking at two teams anymore; we're looking at two entirely different philosophies of how to kill a football match. City still wants to choke you with 800 passes. Liverpool, even under Slot, still wants to break your ribs on the counter-attack. It’s glorious.
The Pep 1,000 Milestone and That November Drubbing
You can't talk about the current state of Manchester City v. Liverpool without looking back at November 9, 2025. It was Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game as a manager. Think about that for a second. One thousand games of stressing over inverted full-backs and tactical "overloads."
City didn't just win that day; they performed a surgical extraction of Liverpool’s confidence.
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Erling Haaland was, well, Haaland. He missed an early penalty—pushed away by Giorgi Mamardashvili—but he didn’t blink. He never does. By the 29th minute, he was karate-kicking the corner flag after heading home a Matheus Nunes cross. Then Jeremy Doku decided to turn into a PlayStation character, scoring a curler in the 63rd minute that basically ended the contest.
The 3-0 scoreline felt heavy. Virgil van Dijk looked exhausted. It was a statement that even with Liverpool as the defending champions (after their 2024-25 title win), City wasn't going anywhere.
Why the "Slot Era" is Different
Arne Slot didn't come in and try to be Klopp 2.0. That would’ve been suicide. Instead, he’s brought this weird, calm control to Liverpool that makes them harder to read.
In the return fixture just this past January, we saw the "new" Liverpool. They didn't just "heavy metal" football City into submission. They were patient. They sat in a mid-block, let City have the ball in non-dangerous areas, and then—bang.
A 2-1 win at Anfield.
- Liverpool’s Possession: 52% (unusually high for them against City)
- The Difference Maker: A 78th-minute counter-attack that looked like vintage 2019 Liverpool.
- The Result: Liverpool back at the summit, City chasing shadows.
It's this constant "anything you can do, I can do better" vibe that keeps the Manchester City v. Liverpool rivalry at the top of the food chain.
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The Battle Off the Pitch: Marc Guehi and the Transfer War
Money talks. In the North West, it screams.
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the rivalry has spilled over into the recruitment office. Both clubs are currently fighting over Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
City is desperate. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol both picked up knocks against Chelsea recently. Pep is "concerned"—his words—and when Pep is concerned, the checkbook usually comes out. Liverpool thought they had Guehi wrapped up last summer for £35m, but the deal collapsed on deadline day because Palace couldn't find a replacement.
Now? It’s a bidding war.
If City hijacks this move, it’s a massive psychological blow to Liverpool. If Liverpool lands him on a free or a cut-price January deal, they shore up a defense that has looked a bit leggy whenever Ibrahima Konate has to play three games in a week.
Breaking Down the Tactical Chess Match
Basically, if you’re watching Manchester City v. Liverpool, you’re watching a game of 4D chess played at 100 miles per hour.
Pep has started using this weird 4-3-3 that turns into a 3-2-5. He’s got Nico O’Reilly and Nico Gonzalez (the "Two Nicos") playing roles that would have confused players ten years ago. They aren't just midfielders; they are space-eaters.
Liverpool’s response? A compact triangle of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Most people think the game is won on the wings with Salah or Doku. Kinda. But the real mess happens in the "half-spaces." In the November game, Phil Foden dropped so deep he was basically a third center-back, just to lure Mac Allister out of position. It worked. Liverpool’s pressing wasn't "good enough," as Van Dijk admitted after the game.
But by January, Slot adjusted. He used Szoboszlai in a wider role to pin back City’s full-backs. It's this constant adjustment that makes every meeting feel fresh.
The Statistical Reality
If you look at the all-time head-to-head, Liverpool still holds the edge.
- Total Meetings: 199 (approaching a massive double-century)
- Liverpool Wins: 95
- Man City Wins: 51
- Draws: 53
But don't let those numbers fool you. Since 2017, the split is almost dead even. We are living in an era where the "historical" gap is being eaten away by City's modern dominance.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Game
There’s this narrative that the rivalry is "too nice."
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Sure, Pep and Slot aren't throwing pizza at each other in the tunnel like Ferguson and Wenger used to. But watch the challenges. Watch Curtis Jones and Bernardo Silva in the 89th minute of a 3-0 game. They are still flying in.
There were four yellow cards in the final ten minutes of the last meeting. Frustration. Frantic energy. These players know that losing this specific game doesn't just cost three points; it costs the season. In 2018-19, City won the league by one point (98 to 97). In 2021-22, they did it again by one point (93 to 92).
One. Point.
That is the margin for error when Manchester City v. Liverpool kicks off. You can't even afford to have a bad throw-in, let alone a bad half.
Looking Ahead: The February Showdown
The next chapter is set for February 8, 2026, at Anfield.
This is the one. This is the match that will likely decide if the trophy stays in Merseyside or heads back to the Etihad. City will likely have their injured stars back. Liverpool will have the "Anfield Factor," which, despite what skeptics say, is a real thing that makes world-class players like Erling Haaland look human for 90 minutes.
If you’re betting on this, look at the "away team" stats. Only three of the last 34 top-flight battles between these two have been won by the visitors. It is notoriously difficult to go into the other team’s backyard and take the points.
What You Should Do Next
To truly understand where the next Manchester City v. Liverpool clash is headed, keep a close eye on the injury reports for Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol over the next two weeks. Their availability—or lack thereof—will dictate whether City has to play a makeshift backline or if they can resume their usual "total control" style.
Also, watch the Marc Guehi situation. If he signs for either club before the February 8th deadline, he could be the literal "center" of the title race.
Go back and watch the highlights of the January 2-1 Liverpool win. Pay attention to how Slot used Szoboszlai to block passing lanes to Rodri. It’s the blueprint for how to beat Pep in 2026. The rivalry isn't dead; it's just gotten a lot smarter.