Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini should make changes to his team and bring back David Silva following the defeat to Sunderland. Micah Richards was on the bench during that game, and should likely be handed a starting role against the Reds.
Meanwhile, Gael Clichy and James Milner are also likely to get the nod ahead of Aleksandar Kolarov and Adam Johnson. Mario Balotelli was thought to have sustained a knock, due to his absence from the squad against the Black Cats. He could come into the fray if his fitness is not in doubt.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish could hand skipper Steven Gerrard a start, at the expense of Jay Spearing, in this clash after a strong substitute performance against Newcastle. Likewise, Craig Bellamy may start after getting a brace in the 3-1 win. Luis Suarez should be available as his eight-game ban is pending an appeal and he may start ahead of Andy Carroll.
- City have won all nine of their league games at home this season.
- Roberto Mancini’s men have been the most prolific in the attacking third of the pitch, scoring 53 goals this season.
- City had been undefeated until they met Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They have now lost twice in five matches.
- The Eastlands club may have scored the highest number of goals in the league so far, but they have gone two games without scoring a single goal.
- Liverpool have the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded only 15 goals so far.
- If all matches ended at half-time, the Merseyside club would have move up one place to fifth in the standings, whereas City would have fallen to second.
- The Reds have won 29 of the Manchester meetings between the sides while the hosts have emerged victorious on only 25 occasions . A further 21 matches have ended as draws.
- Liverpool have scored 297 goals against City throughout the course of the two clubs’ histories, conceding 207 in the process.