Man City vs Liverpool: Only Four Reds in Combined XI as Stats Unveil Surprise England Star Amid Arne Slot's Challenging Season

Analysts have assembled a combined starting XI featuring the top talents from Pep Guardiola's and Arne Slot's squads ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final clash.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football match between two teams, with the players and the field of play broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes FA Cup quarter-final clash between Manchester City and Liverpool, capturing the intensity and strategic complexity of the match.Liverpool Today

The FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester City and Liverpool promises to be a thrilling spectacle as both teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals at Wembley. Analysts have delved into the statistics to assemble a combined starting XI featuring the top talents from Pep Guardiola's and Arne Slot's squads, with some surprising inclusions.

Why it matters

This encounter offers a chance for Liverpool to rejuvenate their season, while Manchester City is keen on adding another trophy to their cabinet. The combined XI highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, providing insight into the key battles that could unfold on the pitch.

The details

According to Sofascore ratings, Gianluigi Donnarumma has been the standout performer between the sticks this season, earning the nod ahead of Alisson Becker. Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremy Doku have impressed in the wing-back roles, while Ruben Dias, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahim Konate form a formidable central defensive trio. In midfield, Nico Gonzalez and Ryan Gravenberch have been integral, with Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, and Erling Haaland leading the attack.

  • The FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester City and Liverpool will take place on Saturday, April 8, 2026.
  • The combined XI was assembled based on Sofascore ratings throughout the 2025-26 season.

The players

Gianluigi Donnarumma

An Italian goalkeeper who has been a formidable presence between the posts for Manchester City, securing 14 clean sheets across various competitions.

Dominik Szoboszlai

A versatile Hungarian player who has impressed in a deeper role at right-back, contributing both defensively and going forward for Liverpool.

Ibrahim Konate

A French defender who has had a mixed season but has done enough to earn a spot in the combined XI ahead of Manchester City's Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov.

Ruben Dias

A Portuguese defender who remains a staple at the back for Manchester City and is one of the first names on the team sheet for Pep Guardiola.

Virgil van Dijk

A Dutch defender who continues to set the standard at the heart of Liverpool's defense, chipping in with five goals across all competitions this season.

Jeremy Doku

A Belgian winger who has impressed with his direct running and ability to stretch defenses, proving a real outlet in wide areas for Manchester City.

Nico Gonzalez

A Spanish midfielder who has quietly gone about his business at Manchester City, providing composure on the ball and the ability to keep things ticking in midfield.

Ryan Gravenberch

A Dutch midfielder who has established himself as an integral figure in Liverpool's midfield, delivering consistently high-level performances.

Phil Foden

An English midfielder who earns a place in the front three for Manchester City, just edging out teammate Bernardo Silva despite a recent dip in form.

Rayan Cherki

A French attacking midfielder who has provided a strong influence for Liverpool, with 11 assists and 9 goals across all competitions this season.

Erling Haaland

A Norwegian striker who continues to deliver in front of goal for Manchester City, boasting an impressive record against Liverpool.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester City and Liverpool will take place on Saturday, April 8, 2026, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals at Wembley.

The takeaway

This combined XI highlights the strengths of both Manchester City and Liverpool, with the Cityzens dominating the lineup. However, the inclusion of several Liverpool players, such as Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, suggests that Arne Slot's side still has quality throughout the team, despite their challenging season. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams look to secure a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals.