Manchester City vs Liverpool: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

On Tuesday night, Manchester City will face Liverpool in a crucial Carabao Cup contest.

Manchester City enters this encounter without several key players, but they will have top-scorer Haaland ready to display his goal-scoring exploits, while only a few others have returned from the World Cup. City is in incredible form and continues to sit second in the Premier League rankings.

Liverpool's start to the new season couldn't have gone any uglier as they were incapable of winning games, but the Reds are now hitting their footing, and Klopp may have identified the conflict following a lengthy international break.

Kick-off: 1:30 am (IST), 8 pm: (GMT)

Manchester City form (all competition): W-W-W-W-L-W

Liverpool form (all competition): W-W-D-W-L-W

Player to watch

Manchester City

Haaland

Haaland will return to show what club football has been missing, as he will be ready to smash further records, with 20 or more goals already by the end of the year. He will most likely score numerous goals this season. Haaland is a treat to watch in front of the goal because he always turns the tables when the ball enters the opposition box, rendering it impossible for defenders to contain him.

Liverpool

Firmino

After an outstanding season with Liverpool, it was unfortunate that Firmino was unable to join Brazil's World Cup roster. Firmino has evolved from a goal-scorer to a facilitator, and his tactical awareness and vision are remarkable. He and Nunez have terrific synergy, and both are accomplished strikers.

Match facts

• Manchester City has won only one in the last seven of their League cup matches against Liverpool (D3 L3).
• Liverpool has maintained a clean sheet in the last eight of their League Cup matches, including each of the last four in a row.
• This is the first time Man City are facing holders of the League Cup, last they faced was in 2011-12 when they beat Birmingham 2-0.  

Injury and team news

Alvarez, Rodri, Laporte, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake are still savouring the World Cup and are expected to return this week. Others will be rested for the Premier League encounter against Leeds United, and no one is currently injured.

Jota, Arthur, and Diaz are still out with injuries, while Konate and Van Dijk will return but will not play in the match. Henderson, Becker, Fabinho, and Alexander-Arnold may see limited game time.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 190

Manchester City: 48

Draws: 51

Liverpool: 91

Predicted lineup

Manchester City predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Ortega; Lewis, Katongo, Charles, S. Gomez, Palmer, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Haaland, Borges.

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Kelleher; Ramsay, J. Gomez, Phillips, Tsimikas, Elliot, Bajcetic, Oxlade-Chamerlain, Salah, Firmino, Carvalho.

Prediction

This will be a close match between two Premier League powerhouses. Despite the fact that Manchester City is without half of their usual starters, Liverpool is missing only a few individuals and can field a solid eleven to defend the cup. Nunez is back to scoring goals and will make sure his name appears on the scoreboard.

Liverpool appears to be a committed side that should win by a close margin.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-3 Liverpool