Capital One Cup Final preview:
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Sunday February 28, 2016 16:30pm – Wembley Stadium
Recent Form (Domestic)
Liverpool: WLDLD
Manchester City: LLLWW
Jurgen Klopp will be looking to claim his first piece of silverware as Liverpool boss – and the club’s first in four years – when he leads his team out against 2014 winners Manchester City on Sunday.
Reds eyeing ninth League Cup trophy
If Liverpool are triumphant on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp will join the likes of Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier, on the roll call of managers who have led the Reds to glory in this competition.
The Merseyside team have won this trophy a record number of eight times, and while the League Cup may not hold the prestige of other competitions, it could provide the club with a much-needed boost in what has been a disappointing season so far.
The Anfield club had a much-needed break last weekend due to their lack of involvement in the FA Cup. However, they have had to combine preparations for this game with their continued involvement in the Europa League. In their last league game, Jurgen Klopp’s men secured a 6-0 victory over bottom club Aston Villa.
Liverpool’s injury worries have eased slightly but they will still be without several squad players including Joe Allen, Jordan Rossiter, Martin Skrtel, Joe Gomez and Danny Ings.
City starting as favourites
Manchester City are now the one of the richest clubs in world football and next year, when Pep Guardiola arrives, they will have the highest-paid Coach on the planet at the helm.
With such resources at their disposal, the Manchester club may have their sights on greater prizes. But after exiting the FA Cup in miserable fashion last week, they will still be keen to lay their hands on what would be their fourth ever League Cup crown.
City still have one of the most talented squads in the Premier League, but this season they have struggled to impose themselves at domestic level. As a result, they have fallen behind in the race for the Premier League title.
It remains to be seen how they will fare in the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League – an arena in which they have so far failed to impress.
The Citizens have lost their last three games in a row at domestic level and currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League table. Their last two games against Liverpool ended in defeat – including a 1-4 thumping on home soil back in November.
The Sky Blues will have to make do without Eliaquim Mangala, Wilfried Bony, Kevin De Bruyne and Fabian Delph for this Wembley showdown.
Prediction
Liverpool seem to be hitting form again with the return of Coutinho, Sturridge and Origi to the fold. Meanwhile, City have hit a sticky patch and could be there for the taking.
You can back the Reds to bag their ninth League Cup trophy at 5/4 with Betfair.