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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Nathan Bliss & Lewis Barton

We simulated Man City v Liverpool to get a score prediction for huge FA Cup clash

Liverpool will be looking to reach their second cup final of the season on Saturday when they face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.

A trip to Wembley awaited the Reds after their 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the previous round of the competition. The clash with Manchester City will be Liverpool's second meeting with Pep Guardiola's side in a week, with the two sides drawing 2-2 in the Premier League last Sunday.

It was a tense affair in the previous meeting, with Liverpool coming from behind twice to claim a point at the Etihad. The draw made it five games without a win against City for the Reds, with Jurgen Klopp hoping to change that come Saturday.

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Liverpool made a host of changes in their midweek clash with Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, meaning the Reds could start a full strength XI on Saturday. Klopp confirmed that Diogo Jota is the only injury doubt for the Reds, with the forward needing to be looked at again before the game.

So, what line-ups will both teams select and what could the final score be in this massive match? We used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction - and this is what happened.

Man City vs Liverpool score predicted by simulation

We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn't select a team to control, we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a score prediction.

We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Ake, Laporte; Silva, Rodri, Gundogan; Jesus, Sterling, Grealish.

Liverpool's predicted XI vs Man City in the FA Cup (EA SPORTS FIFA)

We predict that Liverpool could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Unlike the previous meeting in the Premier League, it was Liverpool who took control early on, testing Ederson with multiple attempts in the first 20 minutes. The Reds' pressure was relentless, and it paid off 35 minutes in when Mohamed Salah found the opener.

Mohamed Salah made it 1-0 to Liverpool (EA SPORTS FIFA)

After picking up the ball out wide on the left, the winger cut in towards goal, charging at the City backline. Salah faked a shot on his left to cut past the committed Nathan Ake, and the Egyptian took Ederson by surprise as he shot early with his right foot, catching his shot sweetly and finding the far corner of the net.

Salah's goal was enough to send Liverpool into the break ahead, with City not looking up to scratch in the first-half. The second half continued in the same manner, and the Reds found their second of the afternoon through Roberto Firmino.

Roberto Firmino made it 2-0 to Liverpool (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Salah fizzed a pass across the edge of the box to find Firmino unmarked on the edge, and the Brazilian shifted the ball onto his left foot as he found a sight of goal. The striker quickly pushed the ball out of his feet before rifling a curling effort into the top corner, leaving Ederson with no chance.

The goal put Liverpool in control, with City still yet to trouble Alisson to a great extent. Liverpool had the momentum after going two ahead, and just minutes after scoring, Firmino grabbed a second and Liverpool's third of the afternoon.

Roberto Firmino made it 3-0 to Liverpool (EA SPORTS FIFA)

As City tried to move forward as a unit, Fabinho made a great tackle on the halfway line to win back possession and kick-start a Liverpool attack. The Brazilian laid the ball off to Naby Keita who threaded a perfect through ball for Firmino, and the striker's shot deflected off the leg of Ederson and trickled into the net.

With half an hour to go, Liverpool looked in full control, but a late scare saw City claw the score back to 3-2 with goals in quick succession.

Phil Foden made it 3-2 (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Jack Grealish pounced a poor clearance from Alisson and managed to curl a shot into the far corner before the 'keeper could get back in position in the 87th minute. Just two minutes later, Phil Foden beat Liverpool's high line to break through on goal, and the youngster drilled his shot into the bottom corner, setting up a nervy final few minutes.

Luckily for the Reds, City left their pressure too late, and Pep Guardiola' side couldn't find a third to take it to extra-time. The full time whistle went, with Liverpool advancing to their first FA Cup final since 2012.

FIFA 22 predicted final score: Man City 2-3 Liverpool

Here are the full-time match stats.

FT stats from Man City 2-3 Liverpool on FIFA 22 (EA SPORTS FIFA)

FIFA 22 predicts that Liverpool could take advantage of a poor Manchester City performance in the FA Cup on Saturday, taking a dominant 3-0 lead after 60 minutes. The simulation showed how dangerous City can be when they are at their best as they scored two in the final five minutes, proving that Liverpool must stay switched on if they want to reach the FA Cup final.

What do you think the score will be? Let us know in the comments below.

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