Liverpool vs Man City FA Cup Quarterfinal: Team news, key players, predictions

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We haven't realised this, but Saturday's FA Cup Quarterfinal could play a crucial role in salvaging Liverpool's season from sinking into misery or see the best chance of silverware sunk.With a huge couple of weeks against the almost invincible Paris Saint-Germain looming, chances of Champions League glory could soon be dashed.Liverpool have been far from brilliant this season, and were easily sunk at the Etihad back in November, and they were resilient until they collapsed late on against City at Anfield in February.City will be firm favourites, but the name Liverpool can still conjure up shocks, strike fear into the hearts of opponents, and being brilliant when it is least expected.Key PlayersDominik SzoboszlaiDominik Szoboszlai was the best player on the pitch for half-an-hour or so in the game at Anfield.His brilliant free-kick put Liverpool in front, and would be more eagerly remembered had it not preceded Liverpool's collapse and a first win for City at Anfield in front of a crowd in 20 years.Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League | Liverpool FC/GettyImagesSzoboszlai has also been Liverpool's best player this season and has taken on the role of primary creator after Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure.The midfielder played in Hungary's 1-0 win over Slovenia last weekend, and faced Greece in Budapest on Tuesday.Szoboszlai will need to rest up between then and facing City at lunchtime on Saturday if Liverpool are to have a good crack at the Citizens.Bernardo SilvaBernardo Silva has reportedly informed City that he will be leaving at the end of the season.Silva, 31, has made 296 league appearances in nine years in East Manchester, and has been a cornerstone of the Guardiola-era success.He has had long-term ire with Liverpool supporters since he seemingly declined to applaud Liverpool's 2020 Premier League title-winning team onto the pitch.Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League | Gaspafotos/MB Media/GettyImagesSilva has been great against Liverpool this season, earning two goal contributions, and being a thorn in the Reds' side.What better way to send himself off than to beat Liverpool one more time, and to put City through to the semi-final of the FA Cup. No, thanks.Team newsLiverpoolLiverpool are in the midst of a mini-injury crisis.

At goalkeeper, Liverpool will likely be without the remarkable Alisson Becker and the long-serving Joe Gomez who are both out with muscle injuries.Long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo compound Arne Slot's misery.Mo Salah is currently nursing a muscle injury and could return for the trip to the Etihad, while Alexander Isak is unlikely to return in time but could feature at Paris Saint-Germain next week.FBL-EUR-C1-GALATASARAY-LIVERPOOL | YASIN AKGUL/GettyImagesFederico Chiesa was sent back from international duty with Italy as he is recovering from minor injury problems.Predicted starting XI: Mamardashvili, Kerkez, van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gakpo, Frimpong, Ekitike.Manchester CityCity by contrast only have a couple of injury concerns. Josko Gvardiol will be unavailable as he recovers from a broken tibia.Ruben Dias is suffering with a hamstring injury, and it is as yet unclear as to when he will return.Bernardo Silva's Champions League sending off does not carry over to FA Cup action, and second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford started in the previous round against Newcastle United.Having already been knocked out, City have the courtesy of not having to plan for a Champions League quarter-final the following midweek.Predicted starting XI: Trafford, O'Reilly, Guehi, Stones, Nunes, Rodri, Cherki, Silva, Doku, Semenyo, Haaland.Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 LiverpoolI say this through gritted teeth, City are the fancied team going into Saturday's clash with Liverpool.If Arne Slot shows a shred of the tactical nous he had last season, Liverpool should be drilled defensively and play on the counter-attack.Liverpool haven't done a lot of things well this season, but they have on occasion put in impervious defensive performances, Inter Milan away comes to mind and they should treat this like a European away.FC Internazionale Milano v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 | Liverpool FC/GettyImagesThe same can't be said for going forward, as Liverpool have struggled for goals against Premier League opponents, with occasional outliers against some of the bottom sides.Even recently, one goal against Brighton and one at home to Spurs.

To win, Liverpool need to make it Manchester City nil.As with every Liverpool game this season, it could go far in either direction. Will it be Man City five Liverpool nil in 2017, or Mo Salah arms outstretched with the blue smoke behind him in 2018?Let's hope it's the latter.