EFL Cup

Preview: Carling Cup semi-final - Liverpool vs. Manchester City

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 23 January 2012

Manchester City travel to Anfield looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit in their Carling Cup semi-final encounter with Liverpool.

The winner of this semi-final tie will be big favourites to lift the Carling Cup next month.

It is Liverpool who hold the initial advantage, having recorded a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago courtesy of a penalty from Steven Gerrard.

City will make the trip to Anfield without a number of key players, as Vincent Kompany serves the last game of his four-match suspension, while the Toure brothers are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Hosts Liverpool are still without Luis Suarez, who is suspended. Andy Carroll is expected to continue in attack, with skipper Gerrard offering support from midfield.

Current form:

Liverpool: DDWLDL
Man City: WDLWWW

Possible lineups:

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Downing, Gerrard, Adam, Kuyt; Bellamy, Carroll.

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Richards, Lescott, Clichy; Barry, De Jong, Milner; Johnson, Silva, Aguero.

Sports Mole says: 1-1