Liverpool predicted line-up vs Man City as Arne Slot makes bold Jeremie Frimpong call

The Liverpool boss will have to balance the needs and fitness levels of his squad as they head to the Etihad for a crucial FA Cup. We're expecting two changes from the trip to Brighton two weeks ago

Liverpool is facing Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

Arne Slot has much to consider when selecting his Liverpool line-up to face Manchester City on Saturday, with the Reds' head coach desperate to progress to the FA cup semi-finals.

Defeat at the Etihad would reduce that possibility to the slimmest of margins, with the Champions League representing Liverpool’s only other hope. Given that reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain lie in wait in the quarter-finals, and a meeting with Real Madrid or Bayern Munich would follow, few fans feel optimistic.

And while trips to the Etihad have rarely proved rewarding for Liverpool in the last decade, Slot will hope that the news of Mohamed Salah’s imminent exit can provoke a reaction from his players as the campaign enters its final two months.

Salah is among a host of players who have been dealing with fitness issues in recent weeks, along with Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa.

While Salah is likely to start on Saturday, Slot could be more cautious with Frimpong after he was replaced in the Netherlands’ draw against Ecuador on Tuesday due to a knock, but has since trained with Liverpool.

“Another interesting and difficult choice to make, how many minutes in which game?” Slot said when asked about Frimpong ahead of the FA Cup tie.

Frimpong came off with a knock in midweek(Image: Getty Images)

“Because games come so fast and as we know, we don’t have eight right full-backs available. Interesting challenge but I faced this challenge throughout the whole season almost, so I will find an answer.”

Joe Gomez could provide the solution at right-back, while Slot will also have to consider whether to select those, such as Alexis Mac Allister, who have faced long international journeys in the last two weeks, or players who have enjoyed more downtime, such as Curtis Jones.

The Liverpool head coach confirmed on Friday that Alisson will be unavailable for the City game, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will probably start in the nets.

Alisson will miss the next few weeks through injury

The returning Alexander Isak, playing for the first time since December, could be fit enough for a few minutes off the bench, Slot confirmed.

The Liverpool head coach may also decide to play Florian Wirtz in a wide role, or as a no.10. That will also impact the starting position of Dominik Szoboszlai, who could also be deployed at right-back.

We’re predicting two changes from the Brighton game two weeks ago, with Gomez and Salah returning in place of Frimpong and Cody Gakpo.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.