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Team News: Raheem Sterling starts, Mario Balotelli in for Sergio Aguero

Raheem Sterling gets the nod for Liverpool, while Mario Balotelli replaces Sergio Aguero for City.

Brendan Rodgers has stuck with 17-year-old winger Raheem Sterling, who impressed in Liverpool's 1-0 win against Hearts.

Several big names return to the fold for the hosts, too, after being rested in midweek. Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez are all named in the starting XI.

For Manchester City, Roberto Mancini has opted for the enigmatic Mario Balotelli to partner Carlos Tevez in the absence of Sergio Aguero, with Edin Dzeko on the bench.

David Silva is dropped to the bench after his penalty miss against Southampton, with James Milner coming into the starting lineup.

Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Johnson, Coates, Skrtel; Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Sterling; Borini, Suarez

City: Hart; K Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta, Kolarov; Milner, De Jong, Y Toure, Nasri; Balotelli, Tevez

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Matt Domm
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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