Liverpool v Manchester City buildup, Premier League reaction and WSL – matchday live

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It was always going to be the case that whoever Liverpool chose to replace Jürgen Klopp would be less good – no slight on Arne Slot, just that Klopp is a once-in-a-generation genius. As happened with José Mourinho’s Chelsea after he left, the principles of play and attitude were so well inculcated they sustained nevertheless, difference being Mourinho had a youngish squad, not one at the end of a cycle. That, along with the low standard of the competition, allowed Slot a debut-season title, but it’s got real since then. With Xabi Alonso unemployed, he needs a strong few months to be certain of being in charge six months from now.

It feels like neither side quite knows what it is yet, which is kind of fine if they’re in transition; more troubling is the lack of clarity as to what each side wants to be. I quite fancy Liverpool for this one because they’ve a striker scoring goals – sometimes the game is simpler than modernity wants it to be – but given defensive weaknesses in both teams – as a collective, not just as back-fours – it’s difficult to predict outcomes with any certainty.

Here’s Jonathan Wilson on today’s centrepiece.

In terms of today’s soccer, Xaymaca will be back with you for Arsenal v Man City in the WSL, then I’m on Brighton v Palace, after which it’s liverpool v Man City with Michael Butler. Don’t say we don’t look after you.

Before we dig into the football, this is the sport we’ve got for you that’s going on as we speak.

Morning all, Daniel here taking over from Xaymaca.

Celtic beat Dundee 2-1 after extra time to progress to the sixth round of the Scottish Cup. Late goals from Junior and Adamu and Sebastian Tounekti cancelled out Ethan Hamilton’s strike. Dunfermline beat Kelty Hearts 2-0 and Partick Thistle beat Elgin City 3-2 in the two other cup games.

Former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Celtic yesterday. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said:

We are really pleased to bring Alex to Celtic. He still has so much to offer the game, and I am sure he can add another dimension to us with his great ability and wealth of experience in the game.

New signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Celtic is paraded in front of the fans ahead of kick off at Celtic Park for Celtic’s game against Dundee in the Scottish Cup. Photograph: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

This is not quite team news, but recent Liverpool signing, Jeremy Jacquet suffered a shoulder injury during Rennes 3-1 defeat at the hands of Lens on Saturday. The French defender is set to join Liverpool at the end of the season. Who else should Liverpool sign this summer?

Jeremy Jacquet is helped by a member of medical staff as he leaves the pitch with a shoulder injury following an awkward fall on his shoulder in the 69th minute during Rennes' defeat to Lens on Saturday 07 February 2026. Photograph: @Ligue1/X

The second rivalry is between Liverpool and Manchester City.

The two teams have dominated the last decade of English football and this game would customarily be a mouthwatering top of the table clash. Things have changed somewhat with Jürgen Klopp no longer at the helm and a Manchester City team in transition. Read Jonathan Wilson’s piece about how the mighty have fallen here.

Looking ahead then, we’ve got two rivalries in the Premier League today.

First, Crystal Palace take on Brighton. Oliver Glasner’s side haven’t won a game since mid-December, scoring only nine times in their last 12 games in all competitions. They’ll be hoping their January signings Brennan Johnson, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Yeremy Pino and Evann Guessand can fire them to victory.

Meanwhile, a win for Brighton would get Fabian Hurzeler back in the fans’ good books after a run that has seen them win once in their last 11 Premier League games. They’ve slipped to 13th in the table from fifth a couple of months ago.

Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Georginio Rutter in Crystal Palace vv Brighton match on November 9, 2025. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters

There was only one game in the WSL yesterday. Manchester United got the better of Leicester in a 2-0 victory. Goals from Julia Zigiotti and Elisabeth Terland were too much for a Leicester side that find themselves in a relegation battle.

Frank Ilett is getting dangerously close to a haircut after Michael Carrick guided Manchester United to a fourth victory in a row with a 2-0 victory over Spurs. Only West Ham stand between Ilett and a set of clippers. Will day 493 mark the end of his hair growth journey and Manchester United’s search for five consecutive wins?

It was a busy day of Premier League action yesterday. League leaders Arsenal extended the gap at the top to nine points after a comfortable win over Sunderland. Cole Palmer marked his return to Chelsea’s starting line up with a first half hat-trick in their 3-1 win against a struggling Wolves side. And Brentford made history by beating Newcastle 3-2 in their first victory at St James’ Park since 1934.

Today’s WSL games (12pm GMT kick-off unless stated otherwise)

• Arsenal v Manchester City

• Liverpool v Aston Villa

• London City Lionesses v Everton

• West Ham v Brighton

• Spurs v Chelsea (2:25pm GMT)

Today's Premier League fixtures

• Brighton v Crystal Palace (2pm GMT)

• Liverpool v Manchester City (4:30pm GMT)

Preamble

Hello and welcome to another matchday live. We’ve got two Premier League games for you today, with a 2pm clash between Brighton and Crystal Palace before the big one between Liverpool and Manchester City.