These two teams have been the forces of English football over the last few years.
It is fair to say this meeting is not as high stakes or tense as many of their recent encounters, but a victory for either side would be a good way to get their campaign back under way.
Liverpool won this competition last season, and have not lost to City in five consecutive matches.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are still underdogs here, however. They are without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate and Arthur. Julian Alvarez is City’s only absentee.
Anytime Goalscorer: Erling Haaland
An injury slightly disrupted Erling Haaland’s form prior to the World Cup.
The Norwegian phenom has had a month to rest, and will be raring to go on Thursday night. He has scored 23 goals in 16 starts across the Premier League and Champions League this term.
Liverpool probably won’t be at full strength in defence, with Klopp likely to save Virgil van Dijk and Alisson for league action after both reached the last eight of the World Cup.
Given his form, and with Alvarez unavailable, this is a superb price on Haaland to score.
Winner: Man City
Recent history might be on Liverpool’s side, but form and underlying numbers for this season heavily favour City.
The loss to Brentford before the break was the first time they had failed to win at home all season.
Liverpool have won just once away from Anfield in domestic action this season. While there were signs of improvement from Klopp’s men, they have looked a long way off their 2021-22 level.
Anytime Goalscorer: Mohamed Salah
After an out-of-character start to the season, Mohamed Salah regained his goal-scoring touch. He has scored nine goals in his last nine appearances, including the only goal of the game as Liverpool beat Manchester City at Anfield.
There is value backing Salah at 21/10 – City have kept just one clean sheet in their last four matches in all competitions.
All odds are subject to change
