Anfield will host the most anticipated clash of the weekend this Sunday, February 8, 2026, as Liverpool face off against Manchester City. With the title race heating up, the Opta supercomputer and AI models have crunched the numbers to predict the outcome of this 200th competitive meeting between the two giants.
Liverpool enter the game with high spirits following their dominant 4-1 victory over Newcastle United, while Manchester City are looking to bounce back and close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction by Opta
The Opta supercomputer favors Liverpool to secure a home victory, giving the Reds a 43% chance of winning across 10,000 match simulations. This prediction is heavily influenced by “The Anfield Factor”; Liverpool has lost only once in their last 22 Premier League home matches against City.
Manchester City is given a 30.3% probability of leaving Merseyside with all three points, while the chance of a draw stands at 26.7%.
AI Predicts the Outcome of Liverpool vs Manchester City
AI analytical models suggest that despite City’s superior league position, Liverpool’s current attacking efficiency—led by the inform Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah—gives them the edge.
According to these models, the most likely result is a high-scoring thriller. The AI forecasts a 2-2 draw or a narrow 2-1 victory for the Reds, noting that City has struggled to score second-half goals in the 2026 calendar year.
Win Probabilities at a Glance:
- Liverpool win: 43%
- Manchester City win: 30%
- Draw: 27%
Match Outlook
Liverpool, the defending champions, are the data-driven favorites despite sitting lower in the current standings. The return of Ruben Dias to the City lineup provides a defensive boost, but the absence of players like Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku could leave Pep Guardiola’s side vulnerable to Liverpool’s trademark high-press.
For the visitors, the duel between Erling Haaland and Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk remains the key matchup, while Egyptian fans will be watching closely as Omar Marmoush looks to continue his stellar debut season for the Citizens against his national teammate Salah.
