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Manchester City return from the international break facing a tough away fixture at Liverpool, their first match since being found guilty of 115 violations of the Premier League's financial regulations.
The club's conviction dominated headlines throughout the international break, sending shockwaves across English football following the conclusion of a three-year inquiry. How Enzo Maresca and his squad will respond once they cross the white line on Sunday remains to be seen.
Anfield will be an intimidating stage for them to keep their composure and maintain their flawless start to the Premier League campaign. City currently sit at the top of the table having won all five of their games so far—the only side to achieve that record.
Here's how City could set up for what promises to be a must-watch clash.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—The shot-stopper featured for every minute of Italy's four UEFA Nations League fixtures across the three-week international break. He'll be called into action once more at Anfield.
RB: Matheus Nunes—Liverpool have some injury concerns in their attacking line, but Nunes will still face a dangerous winger regardless. Rio Ngumoha, Bradley Barcola, or Victor Muñoz could be his direct adversary.
CB: Rúben Dias—Controversy appears to be shadowing Dias closely. First came City's financial misconduct case, then Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive Portugal outburst during the international break.
CB: Marc Guéhi—Guéhi made a costly mistake in England's 3–2 loss to Spain, gifting Lamine Yamal the opening goal. He will need to be sharper at Anfield against a high-intensity Liverpool press.
LB: Joško Gvardiol—Nico O'Reilly's fitness concerns make Gvardiol an even more certain starter at left back. He did endure a tough international break, however, conceding seven goals to England around Croatia's losses to Spain.
CM: Elliot Anderson—One wonders what Anderson makes of City's guilty verdict. The Englishman only arrived at the club this summer and already finds himself facing an uncertain future.
Pick Your Man City XI!
CM: Enzo Fernández—Much the same applies to City's other $150 million-plus summer acquisition, who featured twice for Argentina during the international break. The midfielder was involved in the recent 3–0 victory over Benin, which marked La Albiceleste's farewell to Lionel Messi.
RW: Iliman Ndiaye—Milos Kerkez is widely considered a vulnerability in Liverpool's backline, and it falls to Ndiaye to exploit him in the absence of the suspended Phil Foden. The former Everton man is no stranger to performing in front of a hostile Anfield crowd from previous Merseyside derbies.
AM: Rayan Cherki—If any player is capable of producing a moment of match-winning magic this weekend, Cherki is the most likely candidate. He has won all three of his encounters with Liverpool as a City player.
LW: Antoine Semenyo—There are questions surrounding Semenyo's fitness after he withdrew from the Ghana squad with a swollen leg. Jérémy Doku is waiting in the wings should Andoni Iraola's former Bournemouth charge be unable to start.
ST: Erling Haaland—Haaland's early substitution for Norway raised injury concerns, but he has since been cleared to play by Maresca ahead of the Liverpool fixture. He has netted eight times in 11 appearances against the Reds.