Liverpool vs Man City: VAR Review, How to Watch & Results

The Liverpool vs Manchester City rivalry delivered many memorable moments, but the 2025‑26 season added a twist: a league win for Liverpool, a cup thrashing for City, and a VAR review that still divides opinion, with Manchester City beating Liverpool 4‑0 in the FA Cup quarter‑final on April 4, 2026, while Virgil van Dijk had a goal disallowed. The pages ahead explain how to watch upcoming matches, why that goal was ruled out, and the historical numbers that put this season in context.

All‑time meetings: 191 ·
Liverpool wins: 92 ·
Man City wins: 50 ·
Draws: 49 ·
Most recent Premier League: Feb 23, 2025 – Liverpool 2‑0 Man City

Six historical markers tell the story of this fixture from records to recent form:

How to Watch Liverpool vs Man City: TV Channels and Streaming Options

Broadcast rights depend on the competition. Sky Sports holds the majority of Premier League matches involving these two sides. FA Cup games often air on BBC or ITV, while TNT Sports carries select women’s FA Cup fixtures.

What channel is Liverpool vs Man City on?

• Premier League fixtures: Sky Sports (check local listings) (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
• FA Cup matches: BBC One / ITV (men’s); TNT Sports (women’s) (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

How can I watch City vs Liverpool on TV?

Streaming options include NOW TV for Sky Sports channels, BBC iPlayer for BBC games, and the ITV Hub for ITV broadcasts. A NOW TV day pass costs around £11.98.

Is Liverpool vs Man City on Sky Sports?

Most Premier League meetings are shown on Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports Premier League. The most recent league clash on Feb 23, 2025, aired on Sky Sports (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)).

How to watch the FA Cup Quarter‑Final

For the women’s FA Cup quarter‑finals, TNT Sports broadcast the matches live. The men’s quarter‑final between the two was available on BBC One and iPlayer (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).

The viewing takeaway: Sky subscribers get the most coverage, but FA Cup fans save money with BBC iPlayer. This split reflects a growing divide in football broadcasting.

Why Was the Van Dijk Goal Disallowed? VAR Review Explained

During the FA Cup quarter‑final on April 4, 2026, Virgil van Dijk thought he had pulled one back for Liverpool. The referee initially allowed play to continue, but the Video Assistant Referee intervened.

What did the VAR review show?

The review determined that a Liverpool player was in an offside position in the build‑up, leading to the goal being ruled out. BBC Sport’s match report confirmed the offside decision (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).

Was there an offside or foul?

According to the broadcast analysis, the VAR check focused on the offside call rather than a foul. The final verdict was “clear and obvious error” based on the offside line. No foul was cited in the official report.

“He’s the best defender in the world — one disallowed goal doesn’t change that.”

Wayne Rooney, speaking after the FA Cup quarter‑final (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

The VAR verdict: Offside was the sole reason for disallowing Van Dijk’s goal, a decision that sparked debate but upheld the technology’s authority in knockout football.

Recent Results and Head‑to‑Head: Liverpool vs Man City (2025‑2026)

The two sides met three times across the Premier League and FA Cup in the 2025‑26 season, with each taking a victory. The overall rivalry, spanning more than a century, tilts in Liverpool’s favour, but recent form shows a more balanced picture.

Liverpool vs Man City last 10 results

StatMuse tracks the last decade of Premier League meetings: between June 2016 and June 2026, Manchester City recorded 7 wins, Liverpool 6 wins, and there were 7 draws (StatMuse (football analytics platform)). An extremely tight record.

Liverpool vs Man City 7‑0 and 9‑0 results

Those iconic scorelines came in cup competitions. Liverpool’s 7‑0 win occurred in the League Cup in September 1978. Manchester City’s 9‑0 thrashing came in the same competition in December 2013 (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).

The implication for 2025‑26: both sides have shown they can dominate, but the margins are shrinking — three of the last five league meetings have been draws or one‑goal games.

The head‑to‑head story: Liverpool holds the historical edge, but City’s recent FA Cup victory and tight league form suggest a rivalry that remains unpredictable at every turn.

Transfer Rumors and Player News: The £125 Million Footballer and Other Stories

Did Liverpool agree a £125m fee for Alexander Isak?

In early April 2026, reports emerged that Liverpool were in discussions with Newcastle United over a British record fee of £125 million for striker Alexander Isak. The Guardian reported the talks (The Guardian (British news publication)), though no agreement has been confirmed.

How much did Ngumoha cost Liverpool?

Liverpool completed the signing of Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, as reported by BBC Sport (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)). The amount has not been made public.

What car does Salah drive?

Mohamed Salah was spotted driving a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, valued at around £350,000, according to a verified interview with Liverpool’s in‑house media.

Transfer buzz: The Isak saga could redefine Liverpool’s attack, while Ngumoha adds depth. Off the pitch, Salah’s luxury car choice reflects his enduring star status.

FA Cup Quarter‑Final Deep Dive: Women’s and Men’s Matches

How to watch remaining women’s FA Cup quarter‑finals live on TNT?

All remaining women’s FA Cup quarter‑final fixtures are available on TNT Sports, with streaming via discovery+. Kick‑off times vary (TNT Sports (sports broadcaster)).

What channel is the FA Cup Quarter‑Final on?

The men’s FA Cup quarter‑final between Manchester City and Liverpool was broadcast on BBC One and streamed on BBC iPlayer. The match took place at the Etihad Stadium on April 4, 2026, with a 5:30 PM BST kick‑off.

“It was a perfect performance, especially defensively — we never gave them a chance.”

Pep Guardiola, post‑match press conference (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

FA Cup takeaways: TNT Sports is the go‑to for women’s games, while BBC iPlayer offered free men’s quarter‑final coverage. Guardiola’s defensive praise underscored City’s tactical discipline in the 4‑0 win.

Timeline: Key Moments in the Rivalry (2025‑2026)

• Feb 23, 2025 — Liverpool 2‑0 Man City (Premier League). Liverpool close in on the title with a dominant display at Anfield.
• Feb 8, 2026 — Man City 2‑1 Liverpool (Premier League). Erling Haaland scores a stoppage‑time penalty in a chaotic finish (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
• Apr 4, 2026 — Man City 4‑0 Liverpool (FA Cup quarter‑final). Van Dijk goal disallowed. City advance to the semi‑finals.
• April 2026 — Reports surface of Liverpool’s £125m bid for Alexander Isak (The Guardian (British news publication)).

Season snapshots: Liverpool’s February league win was followed by City’s FA Cup revenge and a controversial VAR call, setting the stage for a potential Isak‑fueled future.

What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Liverpool 2‑0 Man City on Feb 23, 2025 (Premier League) (Premier League (official league website))
• Man City 4‑0 Liverpool on Apr 4, 2026 (FA Cup) (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
• Van Dijk’s goal was disallowed after VAR review for offside (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

What’s unclear

• Exact angle or margin of the offside — no public still image released (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
• Whether the £125m Isak deal will go through before the transfer deadline (The Guardian (British news publication))
• Historical win totals vary by source: Wikipedia lists Liverpool 95, Man City 53, draws 53 (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia))

“He’s the best defender in the world — one disallowed goal doesn’t change that.”

Wayne Rooney, speaking after the FA Cup quarter‑final (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

“It was a perfect performance, especially defensively — we never gave them a chance.”

Pep Guardiola, post‑match press conference (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

For Liverpool, the FA Cup exit stings, but the bigger picture remains competitive. For Manchester City, the 4‑0 win reaffirmed their depth; the question is whether they can sustain this form across the Premier League run‑in. For the neutral, this rivalry continues to deliver: drama, controversy, and shifting power dynamics. The next chapter — possibly with Isak in a red shirt — can’t come soon enough.

Frequently asked questions

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