Manchester City – Liverpool – Match Preview

Liverpool return to competitive action on Thursday evening, just four days after the World Cup drew to a close. The Reds will set forth to nearby Manchester to take on Pep Guardiola’s side in the fourth-round of the Carabao Cup. This will be a great opportunity to give the travelling fans from Merseyside an early Christmas gift.

Overview

A few eyebrows will be raised when some learn that domestic football in England resumes just four days, after the World Cup final in Qatar. Hence, don’t expect to see both managers select their strongest starting lineups, inasmuch as several household names are set to be missed.

Pep Guardiola’s latest press conference has been dominated by the dismissal at football governing body, the Spaniard stated “At the moment, we have four or five players, and we will have to wait and see how the others come back.”

Similarly, his German counterpart has raised the issue after the Friday’s friendly game against AC Milan “…But the challenge is that you play and have the first competitive game four days after the final – but we know it now long enough and that’s all fine.”

Against all the odds, the Reds are currently the holders of the Carabao Cup, and will strive to do everything to throw City overboard.

Form Guide

In the last five games across all competitions, Liverpool have registered three victories, one draw and one defeat, whereas, the Citizens got four wins and a defeat.

Head to Head

The Reds’ rivarly with Manchester City continues, and it’s seen seven clashes so far, in which the Merseyside outfit won three time, lost once and shared the spoils three times.

2015-2016 was Jurgen Klopp’s first final as Liverpool boss. An eventful encounter at Wembley ended with a penalty shootout. Manuel Pellegrini’s City prevailed 3-1 in the shootout from 12 yards, and secured the silverware.

Team news

The tie will come too soon for Ibrahima Konate, who will require some downtime after a disappointing end to France’s involvement in the final.

Arthur Melo, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz remain long-term absentees. Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson and Fabinho are all unlikely to be considered for the game.

Man City are likely to have midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan all available after their early World Cup exits.

Julian Alvarez extending his stay in Qatar means Erling Haaland could start up front from the very first whistle.

Summary

Should the tie end up level, teams won’t go to extra time and, instead, will go straight to a penalty shootout. The fact is – no side has been involved in more penalty shootouts in the League Cup than Liverpool (15), with the Reds’ last two games in the competition being settled by this method.

Both managers will have a selection headache, but it won’t be as bad as it could be, had they featured in the Premier League. It means that we could see youngsters looking to make a name for themselves in action here. Nevertheless, it should be an entertaining one. I think the score could be narrow, and decided by a small margin, should the incredible Erling Haaland be stopped, who’s set to line up.

Follow Karolina on Instagram: @96karolinakurek

YNWA