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It's deja vu all over again Liverpool face off against their rich not quite local not quite rivals Manchester City for the second time in less than a week. And since it's probably bad form to just write 'see last preview' heading into another match, let's get started.
It feels like it was only just yesterday that Manchester City beat Liverpool on penalties in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium, and it just about was. That this next game comes so soon after that one means there's a whole lot of narrative surrounding it. The same players should be available for this match, though whether they'll get the start or be employed in the same formation this time around if they do remains to be seen.
Liverpool losing their first cup final in four years was heartbreaking (though a Europa League in May would certainly help everyone to forget it), so with any luck, that feeling of disappointment will galvanize the team on Wednesday. Manchester City are currently clinging to fourth and sit a full nine points above Liverpool, who are stuck in ninth. In the fantasy dreamland where Liverpool mount a late season comeback to clinch a spot in the Champion's League (which will be exciting, though not as important once they win the Europa League), it's Manchester City who will be the team to beat.
Liverpool should be concerned that, were it not for some bad luck and terrible misses, Manchester City would have had the final in the bag by the end of normal time. The silver lining, however, is that Liverpool were not lacking in aggression or drive, and their hunt for the late equalizer in the second half paid off when Philippe Coutinho slotted the ball in the back of the net when it ricocheted off of one of Willy Caballero's goal posts. In fact, while the end product was lacking, the front three of Coutinho, Firmino, and Sturridge looked solid and combined for some good play throughout the game. Lucas Leiva also embraced his first chance to play at Wembley with Liverpool and put in a rousing performance that may be enough to ensure he keeps his place for Wednesday's match.
When Liverpool last met Manchester City in the league, they notched a comprehensive, and frankly, surprising 4-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
For Liverpool:
Mignolet
Clyne/ Touré/ Caulker/ Moreno
Henderson/ Can/ Milner
Coutinho/ Firmino
Origi
With Lucas reportedly out injured and Sakho a doubt following his head injury on Sunday, it could be Kolo Toure and Steven Caulker at the back this time around. Otherwise, expect much the same team that Klopp has favored the last few games, though with Daniel Sturridge clearly exhausted on Sunday it wouldn't be a surprise to see Divock Origi take his place. Adam Lallana seems the next likeliest to find his way into the line up, with a start for Brad Smith at left back also a possibility.
Kevin Stewart and Jordan Rossiter are still out. Center-backs Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, and Martin Skrtel are all doubtful for this game. Joe Gomez and Danny Ings remain out for the season.
Kickoff is set for 8:00PM GMT/4:00PM EST Wednesday. Television coverage will be on BT Sport 1 in the UK and NBCSN for the US. Elsewhere, Fox Sports 4 Australia in Australia, TSN1 and TSN5 in Canada, and SuperSport 3 Africa in Kenya are carrying the match. You can find other listings at LiveSoccerTV. Online streaming is also available with NBC Sports Live Extra in the US and BT Sport Live Streaming in the UK. For Online radio, fans worldwide can check out LFCTV GO and TalkSport Radio World.
We'll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it's released, our live matchday thread and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on all the action as it happens.