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City lost 4-1 at home to Liverpool in November, but Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini said: "Liverpool made a very good game here at the Etihad.

"We make a lot of mistakes in the first 15 minutes so they decide the game early, but all the games are different.

"After we finish on Sunday we have to return to the Premier League, we have another 36 points to fight for. We are six points behind the leaders but we will continue fighting until the end and we are not giving up. It gives you a lot of trust if you win this title."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on City's trip back from Kiev in midweek: "I think they flew - they didn't walk. It is not too difficult and I don't think it is an issue.

"They will be fit. We will be fit. It is a final and no-one cares where you played your last game.

"I should not talk here about tactics - I think even in Manchester they have televisions so that is not for the press conference. You can be sure we will have a plan but it is not allowed to go with exactly the same plan in a completely different game.

"If I think about it I have a few nice pictures in my mind of after the game at Wembley, being together with our fans and a real reason to celebrate together with no doubts about why we do that."

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Liverpool are traditionally the kings of the league cup, winning the trophy on eight occasions, most recently in 2012 when Kenny Dalglish's side beat Cardiff.

Manchester City won it in 2014 - remember Yaya Toure's stunner against Sunderland? - for their third title.

Who starts as favourites this afternoon?

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We are still waiting to hear the Manchester City side but it should be with us any time soon.

Liverpool

Liverpool have announced their team and it's easy enough - they are unchanged from the side which beat Augsburg on Thursday. Lucas starts at centre-back. 

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lucas, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Milner, Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge  

However, perhaps history is not on Jurgen's side after all...

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Tom Watson. David Ashworth. Matt McQueen. George Kay. Bill Shankly. Bob Paisley. 

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Joe Fagan. Kenny Dalglish. Graeme Souness. Roy Evans. Gerard Houllier. Rafael Benitez. 

There are a few notable absentees but 12 men have brought trophies into Anfield in Liverpool's history. 

Can Jurgen Klopp etch his name into the club's history and join the list?

Today he gets his first chance - as Liverpool face Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley.

The first final of the English season. The sun is out - it's all starting to get real...