"What a time to be alive", "Thank you Slot" - Liverpool fans delighted as star left on the bench for PL clash vs Manchester City

Liverpool fans are rejoicing on X after Arne Slot excluded Cody Gakpo from the starting XI to face Manchester City. The two sides are set to lock horns in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium later today (Sunday, November 9).

Giorgi Mamardashvili starts in goal for Liverpool. Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson make up the defense. The midfield comprises of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, and Hugo Ekitike start up front to complete the starting XI.

Slot has opted to stick with the starting XI that had a brilliant performance during their 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League (November 4). Cody Gakpo has had a decent start to the season, recording four goals and three assists in 15 appearances across competitions. However, summer signing Florian Wirtz has been preferred down the left wing to face City.

One Liverpool fan happily posted:

"Gakpo on the bench. Thank you Slot"

Another fan tweeted:

"No Cody gakpo cutting in and cross today. What a time to be alive"

Other fans reacted below:

"I feel like both teams are fighting for second place anyway" - Chris Sutton makes scoreline prediction for Manchester City vs Liverpool clash and explains why he's ruling Reds out of PL title race

BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton has backed Manchester City to defeat Liverpool 2-1 in their upcoming Premier League fixture. He also reckons the Reds are no longer in the title race due to their defensive vulnerabilities, compared to leaders Arsenal.

Arne Slot and Co. made a strong start to the season, winning their first five games. However, they have lost four out of their last five league fixtures since then and are currently sixth in the standings with 18 points from 10 games, eight points behind Arsenal, with a game in hand. Meanwhile, City are in third place with 19 points.

Sutton wrote (via BBC Sport):

"Did Liverpool turn a corner with their great win over Real Madrid in midweek? Maybe, but this will show us where they are really at. I feel like these two teams have cancelled each other out when they have met in recent years, but this time it feels like a game they both have to try to win - and it is Manchester City I'm backing to come out on top."

Whoever wins this, I feel like both teams are fighting for second place anyway, because I don't see anyone catching Arsenal now. People sometimes get angry when I say things like that, but I do think they will win the title from here and I've changed my prediction from before the season started when I went for Liverpool."

He added:

"I don't often do that so early, but I don't think Liverpool can win it any more. We've already seen in the first 10 games how they are too vulnerable defensively, and then you look at how good Arsenal are at the back. It is a similar story with City. I feel they will need Rodri at his very best to push the Gunners, but his injury problems don't appear to be over."

The last time Manchester City hosted the Reds at the Etihad, they suffered a 2-0 defeat following goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai (February 23, 2025).

Edited by Silas Sud