Manchester City supporters are growing increasingly confident ahead of the Premier League showdown with Liverpool after Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo were ruled out of Sunday’s meeting at Anfield.
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are ruled out for Liverpool vs #ManCity, confirms Andoni Iraola.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) October 9, 2026
The injury news has sparked a wave of optimism among City fans, with several supporters insisting that Enzo Maresca’s side should take advantage of Liverpool’s attacking absences. For some, the development is more than a welcome boost. It is confirmation of what they already expected: a Manchester City victory.
One supporter declared, “City will win this game! That’s a double blow for Liverpool.” Another went even further, writing, “Winning regardless this just confirms it.”
The mood across the reactions is unmistakable. City fans believe their team has a major opportunity to strengthen its position against a direct rival, and they want the players to approach the contest with the confidence of a side capable of delivering another big performance.
However, supporters are not simply talking about winning. Some are demanding a clean sheet, while others believe the result could silence critics who have questioned the team.
With Liverpool missing two important attacking options, the pressure is now on City to turn the encouraging team news into a result on the pitch.
“Winning Regardless, This Just Confirms It” — Confidence Reaches Another Level
One of the strongest reactions came from a supporter who wrote: “Winning regardless this just confirms it.”
The comment captures the central theme running through the discussion. For this fan, the absence of Isak and Gakpo has not changed the prediction. Instead, it has strengthened an existing belief that Manchester City will come away with a positive result.
That distinction matters. The supporter is not suggesting that City suddenly have a chance because Liverpool are missing two forwards. Rather, the injury news is being viewed as additional encouragement ahead of a fixture that already promised to be fiercely contested.
City fans will hope their confidence is justified by the team’s performances this season. With Maresca leading the side, supporters want to see Manchester City impose their style, create chances and demonstrate the composure required to handle the atmosphere at Anfield.
The challenge is to translate that belief into action.
Liverpool will still have players capable of making a difference, and their manager will be working on solutions to the missing attacking options. City therefore need to focus on their own strengths rather than simply celebrate the opposition’s difficulties.
Nevertheless, the message from this supporter is clear: the expectation of victory was already there, and the latest news has only reinforced it.
“I Don’t See How We Are Not Winning This Game” — Fans Back Maresca’s Men
Another supporter delivered an emphatic prediction, writing:
“I don’t see how we are not winning this game man trust haters will cry harder believe me.”
The comment combines confidence in Manchester City with a desire to answer outside criticism.
For this supporter, Sunday’s match represents an opportunity to make a statement. A victory at Anfield would provide City with another important result and give their fans plenty to celebrate.
The reference to critics also reflects the heightened attention surrounding the club. City are entering the fixture amid intense discussion about their performances and the wider scrutiny facing the club. Against that backdrop, some supporters want the team to let its football provide the response.
A convincing display would certainly strengthen the mood among the fanbase. However, the most important objective remains securing the result, regardless of the reaction it generates elsewhere.
Maresca will need his players to remain focused on the football. Liverpool are likely to approach the contest with determination, particularly in front of their home supporters, and City must be prepared for periods of pressure.
The comment nevertheless demonstrates the belief some fans have in the squad. They are not approaching the fixture simply hoping for a surprise. They expect Manchester City to compete for the win.
“No Excuses From Us Then” — City Fans Demand a Clean Sheet
Perhaps the most demanding reaction came from a supporter who wrote:
“No excuses from us then. City must WIN AND KEEP A CLEAN SHEET.”
This comment raises an important point about expectations.
While many fans are celebrating Liverpool’s injury problems, this supporter believes the news also increases the responsibility on Manchester City. If two important opposition attackers are unavailable, City must take advantage of the situation.
The demand for both a victory and a clean sheet shows that some supporters want more than three points. They want a complete performance, with the defence remaining organised and the attack delivering when opportunities arise.
Keeping Liverpool scoreless at Anfield would be a significant achievement. Even without Isak and Gakpo, Liverpool can still pose a threat through their remaining forwards, midfield runners and set pieces.
City therefore cannot afford to become complacent. Defensive concentration will be just as important as attacking quality.
The demand also reflects the standards supporters expect from a team competing at the highest level. Fans want City to control the match, minimise mistakes and demonstrate that they can handle pressure in a major away fixture.
Winning would satisfy the primary objective. Winning without conceding would make the performance even more satisfying for supporters who are demanding excellence.
“We Were Going to Win Anyway” — Injury News Seen as an Extra Bonus
Another reaction summed up the mood particularly well:
“We were going to win anyway…but things just keep getting better.”
The comment suggests that the supporter already believed Manchester City could beat Liverpool before the injury update emerged.
Rather than treating the absences as the main reason for optimism, the fan views them as an additional advantage ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
This is a recurring theme among the reactions. Supporters want to believe that City possess enough quality to win difficult matches regardless of the opposition’s team news. The latest development simply gives them another reason to feel encouraged.
However, Liverpool’s remaining players will have an opportunity to prove themselves. Injuries can force tactical changes, but they can also create opportunities for younger footballers and players who have been waiting for a bigger role.
City must therefore prepare for the team Liverpool actually select rather than the team they might have fielded with a fully fit squad.
The supporters’ confidence is understandable, but the match will demand concentration and execution. If City combine their attacking threat with a disciplined defensive performance, they will give themselves the best possible chance of securing the result their fans expect.
Why Isak and Gakpo’s Absence Matters for Liverpool vs Man City
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed that both players would miss the match after picking up injuries during the international break. Isak suffered a thigh injury while representing Sweden, while Gakpo sustained an ankle problem on international duty with the Netherlands. Neither injury was expected to be long-term, but both players were unavailable for Sunday’s fixture.
Their absence creates a selection challenge for Liverpool.
Isak had scored four goals in his first five Premier League appearances, making his unavailability particularly significant. Gakpo’s versatility also gives Liverpool fewer options when reshaping their forward line.
Lewis Koumas is among the players who could receive an opportunity, while Liverpool may consider using other attacking players in different positions. Iraola has expressed confidence in the options available to him, meaning City should not expect an easy contest simply because two forwards are missing.
For Maresca, the priority will be ensuring that his team is tactically prepared for whichever lineup Liverpool select.
Manchester City will need to press intelligently, protect against counterattacks and exploit opportunities in the final third. They must also avoid giving Liverpool encouragement through careless defending or unnecessary mistakes.
The injury news may have shifted the mood among supporters, but the decisive battle will still take place on the pitch.
Final Verdict: City Fans Expect Victory at Anfield
The reaction to Liverpool’s injury news reveals a confident Manchester City fanbase ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
“City will win this game! That’s a double blow for Liverpool” captures the excitement surrounding the absences. “Winning regardless this just confirms it” reflects the belief that City were already capable of winning before the news emerged.
Other supporters have raised the stakes even further, demanding a victory and a clean sheet. Meanwhile, the comment that City were going to win anyway suggests that the latest developments are being viewed as a bonus rather than the foundation of their confidence.
There is a clear message from these fans: they expect Manchester City to take responsibility, control the game and deliver a result.
Still, Liverpool remain a serious opponent, and their available players will be eager to respond to the challenge. City must prove their supporters right through performance rather than expectation.
For Maresca’s side, Sunday’s meeting offers an opportunity to strengthen their early-season momentum. For the fans, the hope is simple: turn the confidence into three points and give the travelling support a result to remember.
