Liverpool will be looking to advance to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, as they face Manchester City on their return to competitive action.
Liverpool required a penalty shootout victory to overcome Derby County in the third round of the Carabao Cup a few weeks ago, earning themselves a tough tie against Man City in the fourth round. The clash with City will be the Reds' first competitive game since the 3-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League on November 12.
Jurgen Klopp is expected to have the majority of first-team players available for selection on Thursday, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Thiago not taking part in the 2022 World Cup. Pep Lijnders hinted towards playing some younger players against City on Thursday, with Stefan Bajetic potentially set to start after his impressive start to the season.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola says Man City job is not 'complete' after Jurgen Klopp request
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola sent warning after Liverpool and Man City issue letter to fans
So, can the Reds continue their Carabao Cup defence with a victory against Manchester City? We simulated the game to get a score prediction
Man City vs Liverpool score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ortega; Akanji, Laporte, Ake, Gomez; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Palmer.
We predict that the visitors could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Kelleher; Ramsay, Matip, Gomez, Tsimikas; Bajetic, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Carvalho.
Liverpool started slowly on their return to competitive action, with City almost taking the lead after 11 minutes. Gundogan tapped a rebound home from close range, but fortunately for the Reds, the German was ruled offside. City's midfield trio were controlling the game in the opening stages, and it led to the hosts finding the opener just before the break.
Harvey Elliott was pickpocketed on the halfway line by Rodri, allowing City to hit Liverpool on the counterattack in numbers. De Bruyne found the central run of Erling Haaland who shrugged off Kostas Tsimikas with ease, and the striker fired his effort across goal to put City 1-0 up.
Liverpool came out in the second half looking better in attack, with Salah stinging the gloves of Stefan Ortega from distance before being subbed off. The pressure continued, and the Reds were awarded a penalty when Elliott was hacked down in the box by Sergio Gomez.
As the defender went to clear the ball, Elliot got there first, taking a big hit to win his side a chance back into the game. With Salah off, Firmino stepped up to take the spot kick, and the Brazilian fired his effort into the bottom corner to level the score.
After managing just one shot in the first half, it was the perfect start to the second 45 from Klopp's side. But, the game remained level for just six minutes, with City regaining the lead through Kevin De Bruyne.
After giving away the penalty, Gomez repaid his debts as he fizzed a wonderful cross into the front post to be attacked. De Bruyne was the quickest to react, meeting the cross and placing his shot past Caoimhin Kelleher at the front post.
As Liverpool threw bodies forward, they left themselves exposed at the back, and a break forward in the 87th minute saw City make it 3-1 through Gundogan, securing the win for the hosts.
FIFA 23 predicted score: Man City 3-1 Liverpool
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts that Liverpool may find it difficult against City on Thursday night, with the Reds losing 3-1 in the simulation. City are predicted to start a strong squad, and their experienced players got the better of the Reds' much younger XI in this simulation, with the midfield battle being won by the hosts over 90 minutes.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments.
READ NEXT:
-
Manchester City get huge triple boost ahead of Liverpool clash
- Four World Cup stars Liverpool are tracking ahead of January transfer window
- Jurgen Klopp refused to let Liverpool players leave Christmas party before 1am after 'losing their minds'
- Sofyan Amrabat asking price named as Liverpool 'head start' in transfer race emerges
- What Ibrahima Konate said after World Cup final shows Liverpool can benefit
