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Match preview
Since 2012, these two clubs have won eight League Cup between them, with Liverpool ending Manchester City’s four-in-a-row stranglehold over this trophy last season.
So, will the double-cup winners or the Premier League champions march into the quarter-finals?
Manchester City were also handed a tough tie in round three, ousting Chelsea 2-0; Riyāḍ Maḥrez firing home a free-kick, before Julián Álvarez sealed the win.
However, in their last outing before the World Cup break, Pep Guardiola’s side were astonishingly beaten by Brentford, leaving them five points adrift league-leaders Arsenal.
Under Guardiola though, the Citizens have won 23 of 25 League Cup ties, so are big favourites to prevail here.
Although, Liverpool have already beaten them twice this season, winning 3-1 in the Community Shield and then 1-0 at Anfield in October.
In the Premier League, the Reds have won four of their last six, so are up to sixth, but are still ten points worse off than their hosts here.
With home advantage, most would expect Manchester City to come through this tie.
Manchester City team news
Having won the World Cup on Sunday, Julián Álvarez isn’t likely to feature here.
Other players who were involved in the World Cup knockout stages, namely Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Phil Foden and the Portuguese contingent are also unlikely to start.
The early exits suffered by Germany and Belgium could mean İlkay Gündoğan and Kevin De Bruyne are in the XI; both started Saturday’s friendly win over Girona.
Meanwhile, Riyāḍ Maḥrez and Erling Braut Håland will be raring to go; the latter has already scored 23 goals in 18 appearances this season.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Ortego; Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Gómez; Gündoğan, De Bruyne, Palmer, Maḥrez, Rogers; Håland.
Liverpool team news
Mohamed Salah scored the winner when these two met in October and, after Egypt’s failure to qualify, will be fresh and ready.
Since arriving in 2017, Salah has only started two League Cup ties, one of which was last year’s final, but, given his lack of match action, will surely be in the XI here.
Other non-World Cup players Joël Matip, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Thiago, Harvey Elliott and Roberto Firmino will also start.
Uruguay’s group stage exit means Darwin Núñez is in contention; Ibrahima Konaté will be afforded some time off, after defeat in Sunday’s final.
Third round hero Caoimhín Kelleher will continue in goal; Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are still out long-term.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kelleher; Ramsey, Gomez, Matip, Robertson; Milner, Thiago, Eliott; Salah, Firmino, Fábio Carvalho.
