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

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