Manchester City are back in action as they lock horns with rivals Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
A place in the quarter-finals is at stake as the Blues play their first competitive match since their defeat by Brentford on the eve of the World Cup break.
The month-long tournament saw the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Ederson push for international success, however it was Julian Alvarez who helped Argentina end their 36-year wait for success in the competition.
READ MORE: Erling Haaland has two motivations for breaking Liverpool FC duck for Man City
Dias, Ederson, De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji all endured disappointing tournaments as they fell below their country's expectations but they could be in line to feature in Pep Guardiola's first starting XI since November.
MEN readers have been voting for the team they want to see Guardiola put out as he goes toe-to-toe with familiar foe Jurgen Klopp, and this was the most popular choice:
Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega
The summer arrival has been installed as the Blues' cup goalkeeper and he endured a baptism of fire in their third-round clash in this competition as they faced Chelsea.
Ortega put in an assured performance as they brushed aside Graham Potter's side and he's been entrusted to be between the sticks for Liverpool's short trip up the M62.
Defenders: Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez
Despite City's recent success in the competition, fans have opted for a change in line-up despite the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker returning this week.
It provides an opportunity for Rico Lewis, who has set his sights on a battle with Mohamed Salah this week, and Sergio Gomez with Manuel Akanji alongside Aymeric Laporte at centre-back.
Midfield: Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne
The midfield trio wouldn't look out of place in Guardiola's Premier League midfield selection for a fixture of this magnitude. This trio endured a torrid World Cup with shock eliminations for their respective countries.
With the need to shrug off that disappointment, this match could be the perfect opportunity to instill some confidence and start fresh ahead of the busy festive period.
Attack: Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer
Much has been made of Haaland's absence from the global stage, only he and those within City will know what affect that has had on him. With Liverpool likely to be without Virgil van Dijk, it proposes a mouth-watering opportunity for the powerhouse to get back on the scoresheet after his recent injury troubles and time off.
The tie presents an opportunity for Palmer's second Carabao Cup appearance of the season with his Premier League involvement limited. Mahrez has been out of form for the Blues this season which has seen him fall down the pecking order.
Thursday's clash with Liverpool can help him recapture the output that he provided last season.
Fans' preferred XI (4-3-3): Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Palmer.
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