Liverpool travel to Eastlands for today’s crucial clash in the race for fourth place.
Their hosts, Manchester City, currently occupy the fourth Champions League spot, a point ahead and with a game in-hand. So the pressure is on Rafa Benitez’s side to at the least avoid defeat. Neither side are in great form, particularly when performances are actually viewed alongside results.
For the Reds it was a midweek return to Europe’s second-tier in the Europa League, while City struggled to a 1-1 draw at Stoke.
Both sides are also missing key players, including their respective top goalscorers. Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson remain sidelined for Benitez, although Yossi Benayoun could be involved after a month out. While Roberto Mancini is without Carlos Tevez and Patrick Vieira, while Craig Bellamy faces a late fitness test.
This fixture last season saw Dirk Kuyt grab a late, late winner in an entertaining 3-2 win for the Reds. While earlier this season at Anfield the corresponding fixture ended in a 2-2 draw, Benayoun levelling within minutes of City taking the lead.
Team Selection
With Krygiakos still suspended, Skrtel and Agger are expected to continue in the centre of defence, with Carragher at right back. Rafa must choose between Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio at left back, ill predict Insua to return as it’s very rare Aurelio starts twice in three days.
In midfield Maxi Rodriguez is back available and likely to start on the left, with Kuyt on the right, Mascherano, Lucas and Gerrard in the middle. David Ngog up front.
Predicted Line-Up: Reina, Carra, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Ngog.
Manchester City (from): Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Onuoha, Toure, Lescott, Boyata, Garrido, Sylvinho, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Barry, De Jong, Ibrahim, A Johnson, Bellamy, Adebayor.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Gerrard, Lucas, Aquilani, Rodriguez, Riera, Benayoun, Ngog, Kuyt, Cavalieri, Pacheco, Spearing, Babel, Aurelio, Degen.
Referee: Peter Walton
Kick off is 3pm, live feeds will be available via our forums.
