Manchester City vs Liverpool: Confirmed team news, Fans and Media predicted starting XIs

Manchester City face off against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Round of 16 at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night, with Pep Guardiola’s side desperate to secure a victory over their Premier League rivals.

The Blues suffered a surprise defeat to Brentford in their final match before the break in the domestic season, with Bees frontman Ivan Toney scoring a winner for the London outfit in added-time. City, who currently sit second in the top-flight table behind Arsenal, won 10 of their opening 14 league games.

Guardiola’s men progressed to the last-16 of the Carabao Cup after overcoming Chelsea in the previous round – with the reigning Premier League champions being drawn against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

Team news

Team selection and rotation is always discussed heading into Carabao Cup fixtures. However, that debate is very different to usual.

It is not going to be an easy selection this time for Pep Guardiola. Earlier this week the Spaniard admitted to only having four or five first team players available due to the defending champions sending 16 first team players to the World Cup. While Guardiola has received some reinforcements since, Manchester City will be at a severe disadvantage for the next few games.

This was apparent in the friendly against Girona early this week, which saw Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez start alongsise a group of youth and reserve players.

It appears as though Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte and Rodri have returned this week. Normally players returning late causes fears around fitness and form, but Guardiola believes this players will benefit from returning from the tournament.

“The players at the World Cup are in better condition than the ones that were here. Sergio [Gomez], Erling [Haaland], Riyad [Mahrez], Cole [Palmer] are missing a little bit. They competed every day and we had holidays. That’s why it’s so important to maintain the rhythm.”

However, their will be a massive contingent of the squad not quite ready to return. With Ederson, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, João Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden, and obviously Julian Alvarez not back in training, it will cause a selection headache for the next few games.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

In what is set to be an enthralling contest, here is how Some Man City Fans and Media expect Pep Guardiola’s side to line-up.

Evening Standard XI : Ortega; Lewis, Charles, Laporte, Gomez; De Bruyne, Phillips, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Palmer.

The Athletic XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez; Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Palmer; Haaland.

90mim Football XI: Ortega, Jadel Katongo, Laporte, Gomez; Gundogan, Palmer, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Morgan Rogers; Haaland.

City Report XI: Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Palmer, Mahrez, Haaland.

City Xtra XI: Stefan Ortega; Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Sergio Gomez; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Cole Palmer, Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland.

Who do you think will be in the XI against Liverpool ?

Best Starting XI base on Majority: Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Palmer, Mahrez, Haaland.