The most high-profile showdown in the opening week of the return of English football following the 2022 FIFA World Cup comes at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, when Liverpool's defence of their Carabao Cup title takes them to a cup tie with Premier League holders Manchester City.
“Our mindset is that we want to win it again," said Caoimhin Kelleher, the goalkeeper who was part of the Liverpool side to edge past third-tier Derby County on penalties in the previous round, adding that the Reds "can't wait" for their Round of 16 game following a training camp in warmer surroundings.
"We had a good time out in Dubai so we’re well prepared and all raring to go.," he said. "We know it’s going to be a tough game against City but we are the holders and we want to show we’re the holders for a reason."
Here's how to watch the game, team news and more as the teams meet again in a competition in which they have played each other to epic effect in past encounters.
MORE: Enzo Fernandez transfer latest: Liverpool 'sign agreement' with Argentina World Cup star
What time is Man City vs. Liverpool?
This Round of 16 Carabao Cup match will kick off at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, December 22 at 20:00 GMT.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Kickoff time | |
| USA | 15:00 ET |
| Canada | 15:00 ET |
| UK | 20:00 GMT |
| Australia | 07:00 AEDT* |
| India | 01:30 IST* |
| Hong Kong | 04:00 HKT* |
| Malaysia | 04:00 MYT* |
| Singapore | 04:00 SGT* |
| New Zealand | 09:00 NZDT* |
*Game starts on December 23 in these time zones
How to watch Man City vs. Liverpool
Here's how to watch all of the action from this match in some of the major territores:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | Sky Sports Football | Sky Go, NOW TV |
| Australia | beIN Sports 1 | beIN Sports Connect, Kayo Sports |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 7 | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | — | — |
| Hong Kong | — | Sports Plus 1, 661 Cable Sports |
| Malaysia | — | — |
| Singapore | — | — |
Man City vs. Liverpool lineups
Man City boss Pep Guardiola complained that his side "just don't have players" for the game "because the big brains of football decided this schedule".
But, while the Spaniard names a side shorn of some big names, the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland feature.
Man City lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega (GK) — Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Ake— Rodri, Gundogan — Mahrez, De Bruyne, Palmer — Haaland
Jurgen Klopp's side is largely as expected given his use of a similar line-up in mid-season friendlies against Lyon and Milan.
However, Roberto Firmino misses out with a calf issue, which means Darwin Nunez playing centrally and Fabio Carvalho coming in on the left.
Liverpool lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher (GK) — Milner, Matip, Gomez, Robertson — Bajcetic, Thiago, Elliott — Salah, Nunez, Carvalho
MORE: Liverpool vs. Milan result, analysis and highlights as Nunez scores twice in convincing friendly win
Man City vs. Liverpool betting odds
Despite Guardiola's concerns over player availability, the hosts are odds-on to see off the side they beat to the Premier League title on the final day of last season.
City have won this trophy in six of the last nine seasons, including each of the four seasons before Liverpool edged out Chelsea on penalties in the most recent final in February. They beat Liverpool 3-1 in a shootout in the 2015-16 final following a 1-1 draw, avenging a 3-2 aggregate defeat in the semifinals in 2012.
| UK (Sky Bet) | USA (Caesars) | Canada (Sports Interaction) | Australia (Ladbrokes) | |
| Man City win | 19/20 | -111 | 1.88 | 1.91 |
| Draw | 11/4 | +250 | 3.56 | 3.70 |
| Liverpool win | 13/5 | +280 | 3.51 | 3.50 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 8/15 | -165 | 1.57 | 1.57 |
| Both teams to score | 1/2 | -170 | 1.49 | 1.50 |
Odds reflect regulation time and are accurate on December 20, 2022.
