Liverpool line-ups vs Manchester City as Mohamed Salah and Joe Gomez decisions made
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Liverpool take on Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon Liverpool Content Editor - Sport, Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent and Ian Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Writer06:00, 04 Apr 2026Liverpool return from international duty straight into two big quarter-finals, and while Paris Saint-Germain may lie in wait in Europe it is Manchester City who first block the path to FA Cup progress.The Reds have already lost to City twice this season in the league, but cup can often be a different beast, and Arne Slot will be desperate to inject some life into his team's stuttering season with a Wembley semi-final.Who should he select for Saturday's 12.45pm kick-off though? It also means there will actually be some options from the bench with Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister, Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones and Rio Ngumoha among them.My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.Paul GorstJoe Gomez makes a start for me here today at right-back, affording the Liverpool defence more solidity on that side of the pitch where Jeremy Doku likes to wreak havoc.Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez complete the back four in front of Giorgi Mamrdashvili, whose deputising for Alisson Becker goes on.In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister can drop out after his lengthy travels on international duty.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai start alongside the Liverpool-born Jones.Florian Wirtz is given the nod on the left side of the front three and there's a start for Mohamed Salah, who is apparently ready to return after an injury before the break.The long goodbye tour starts for Salah at the Etihad. Hugo Ekitike leads the line and Alexander Isak is on the bench, even if he can only manage a few minutes off the bench.My team (4-3-3-): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.Mark JonesI'm choosing to think that the international break came at a good time for Liverpool.
They always seem to be.Ahead of them I'd be doing all I could to squeeze Liverpool into that 'box' 4-2-2-2 formation, with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai the second of those twos and supporting Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah coming off the bench to score the winning penalty in the shootout. Maybe.My team (4-2-2-2): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo, Ekitike.Up to 70% off Liverpool kits and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.