Source: SKY_Sports
Liverpool v Man City preview
Steven Gerrard has failed to regain fitness in time for Liverpool's game with Man City on Sunday. Gerrard had been expected to make the substitutes bench, but the talismanic midfielder has not been named in the squad for the clash.Regardless of the captain's absence, a win against City remains essential to keeping title hopes alive, after Manchester United's win over Blackburn left the Anfield outfit trailing their rivals by eight points.Liverpool emerged as winners in the corresponding tie earlier in the season thanks in large to a Fernando Torres double, and the hopes of The Kop will surely rest on the shoulders of the Spaniard once again.City on the other hand have only picked up just one away win all season, and come into the game off the back of a disappointing defeat by Portsmouth last week.However, a win against Liverpool would provide a timely boost to the club's hopes of a top-half finish, and a welcome relief for under-pressure boss Mark Hughes.Team newsXabi Alonso is suspended for Liverpool after picking up five yellow cards, adding to the loss of Gerrard in the middle.Subsequently, Rafa Benitez looks set to turn to South Americans Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano to fill the midfield void - although Fabio Aurelio could resume in the centre after performing well against Portsmouth in their last outing.Indeed, the lack of first-choice players available in the middle of the pitch may force the Spanish boss into reverting to a 4-4-2, with Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt vying for a starting spot alongside Fernando Torres up front.City will be without Shaun Wright-Phillips as the winger continues to serve his three match suspension picked up against Stoke City. Micah Richards should remain in defence after making his comeback from injury in the 2-2 draw with FC Copenhagen, although Daniel Sturridge is unlikely to have regained fitness in time for Sunday.Having been ineligible for the European tie, Nigel de Jong is set to come straight back into the starting XI and may line up alongside Elano in the middle.And with no new injury worries in the aftermath of the midweek game, City should be able to field something close to a full-strength side.Possible starting XIsLiverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Kuyt, Torres.Man City: Given, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Bridge, Zabaleta, De Jong, Ireland, Elano, Robinho, Bellamy.