Roberto Mancini - Manchester City
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
MANCHESTER CITY  Hart Zabaleta, Savic, Lescott, Clichy De Jong, Barry Milner, Silva, Johnson Balotelli | LIVERPOOL  Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Spearing, Adam Henderson, Gerrard, Bellamy Carroll |
Kolo’s brother Yaya Toure is also participating in the Africa Cup of Nations and he should be replaced by Gareth Barry, who didn’t see any game time at the weekend as he served his suspension for his red card picked up in the 3-0 league win over Liverpool. Sergio Aguero could be rested for the midweek League Cup tie, which could see Mario Balotelli return to the starting XI, with Edin Dzeko having picked up a knee problem that is expected to keep him out until next week.
The visitors to the Etihad Stadium have no fresh injury worries, but will have striker Luis Suarez miss the third of his eight-match ban, leaving Andy Carroll to step into the Uruguayan’s boots after a good cameo showing against Oldham on Friday evening.
Stewart Downing’s weekend escapades may have manager Kenny Dalglish believing the former Villa man not to be in the right frame of mind to feature, allowing Jordan Henderson the possibly of a place in the starting line-up.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Manchester City could be League Cup finalists for the fourth time if they dispose of Liverpool. Their previous three appearences were in the 1970s, winning twice (’70 and ’76) and runners-up once (’74). This is the Blues’ sixth semi-final.
- Wednesday’s visitors hold a host of records in the competition, including most tournament wins (seven), most appearances in the final (10) and biggest win (10-0 against Fulham in 1983).
- The competition was founded over 50 years ago. It originally begun in 1960, thanks mainly to the clubs of the Football League setting up floodlights in their grounds, allowing for midweek evening fixtures.
- Liverpool were the last side to win the tournament before it took on a sponsor in 1981, with backer Dairy Crest coming in and the competition becoming The Milk Cup.
- Current Reds boss Kenny Dalglish (pictured right) shares the record for most appearances in the final for an individual, playing in five, the same amount as fellow Liverpool legend Ian Rush.
- This is Liverpool’s 13th semi-final and they have succeeded in seven first legs at this stage.
Although losing comprehensively last Tuesday to City in the league, Liverpool will no doubt take positives from the game in which they found themselves with a decent amount of the ball, especially in the second half. The Reds’ 5-1 win in the FA Cup on Friday will also give them a confidence boost in front of goal.
Mancini’s side will still be hurting from their Sunday afternoon defeat to Manchester United and will be the less rested side. City still have enough power in reserve though to push Liverpool all the way, but a chance to get to Wembley and book a place in Europe should galvanise Dalglish's men and they will not go down easily and will look to head back to Anfield for the second leg with a good result.
Mancini’s side will still be hurting from their Sunday afternoon defeat to Manchester United and will be the less rested side. City still have enough power in reserve though to push Liverpool all the way, but a chance to get to Wembley and book a place in Europe should galvanise Dalglish's men and they will not go down easily and will look to head back to Anfield for the second leg with a good result.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool 
