It may lack the prestige of the FA Cup, but the Capital One Cup represents an opportunity of silverware neither Manuel Pellegrini nor Jurgen Klopp can afford to turn down.
Indeed, a trophy during his final season, in what could be his last ever game at Wembley, will allow Pellegrini to leave with his head held high as Manchester City prepare for the summer arrival of Pep Guardiola.
Likewise, Klopp will be determined to lift the Capital One Cup as a sign of the progress Liverpool have made since Brendan Rodgers’ sacking in October.
Incredibly, the Reds and the Citizens have never met in a cup final before, but recent encounters between the two sides suggest it will be an exciting game. During their last six meetings, we’ve seen one red card, 17 yellow cards and 24 goals.
Liverpool boast the upper hand, winning four – including a 4-1 thumping at the Etihad in November – compared to City’s two, but the latter club boast superior quality and squad depth.
So with that in mind, Sunday’s game could well be decided by who dominates the individual battles. Here are FIVE Football Fancast view as the most important.
DANIEL STURRIDGE VS VINCENT KOMPANY
They say Manchester City are a much better team when captain Vincent Kompany is in the starting line up, and they say Liverpool are considerably more formidable side with Daniel Sturridge leading the attack. Sunday represents the chance for both crocked stars to prove it under high-pressure circumstances.
I have a sneaking feeling Roberto Firmino could start as Liverpool’s lone striker in the Capital One Cup final, simply because his ‘false 9′ style of service has been a pivotal influence in all of the Reds’ noteworthy victories this season – including their 4-1 battering of the Citizens at the Etihad in November.
But unquestionably Liverpool’s most talented striker, netting 45 times in 75 appearances throughout his Anfield career, the England international is bound to feature in some capacity and will be desperate to get on the scoresheet against his former club.
That being said, Kompany really is that good and City always look a more cohesive outfit with him leading from the heart of defence. He’s an aggressive, front-footed and physical defender who’ll take a proactive approach to nullifying Sturridge’s potent goal threat.
RAHEEM STERLING VS NATHANIEL CLYNE
Raheem Sterling was arguably the Man of the Match as City thumped Dynamo Kiev 3-1 in midweek, providing penetrative pace and driven deliveries from the left-hand side, and despite the criticism often thrown the £50million signing’s way, he’s enjoying a decent, if unspectacular, debut campaign at the Etihad.
He’s really come alive in big games this season, boasting three goals and two assists in seven Champions League outings. On a wide Wembley pitch against a high-calibre opponent, the Capital One Cup final could provide similar conditions that have seen the 21-year-old occasionally excel this term.
Of course, Sterling’s controversial transfer from Liverpool last summer adds an interesting subplot to this particular battle which will most likely see him line up against the Reds’ resident No.2 Nathaniel Clyne.
The England international hasn’t really hit the heights expected since arriving from Southampton last summer but he’s a hard worker, a strong athlete and a good tackler. So on paper, at least, he’s got what it takes to limit Sterling’s participation in Sunday’s game.
SERGIO AGUERO VS DEJAN LOVREN
Kolo Toure certainly hasn’t disgraced himself whilst stepping in for Dejan Lovren over the last few weeks, but still a notable weak link – particularly in terms of pace – the Croatian international is likely to return to the starting Xi on Sunday, provided he can fend off a virus.
That being said, Lovren’s hardly performed to the standards of a £20million centre-back since his summer 2014 move from Southampton, committing the most defensive errors of any Premier League player last season, and Liverpool fans have a knack of turning against the 26-year-old when he’s struggling to perform.
But even if Lovren could replicate his Saints form for the Capital One Cup final, he’d still be set for an incredibly tough afternoon against City striker Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine is one of the best goalscorers in world football and after shaking off a few injury cobwebs has returned to the top of his game, claiming ten goals and two assists in his last eleven appearances – including a strike against Dynamo Kiev in midweek.
Expected centre-back partner Mamadou Sakho would probably prove a better match-up through his pace and physicality, but something tells me Aguero will look to actively target Lovren due to his lack of match sharpness.
YAYA TOURE VS JORDAN HENDERSON
Yaya Toure provided vital cutting edge in midweek, popping up with an assist and a sensational strike as City recorded an incredibly convincing 3-1 victory.
But there was still something very laboured about the Ivory Coast international’s display and it’s hardly the first time we’ve said that this season – in fact, it’s a criticism that’s been thrown Toure’s way after practically every game.
Declining in natural mobility anyway at the age of 32, Liverpool’s midfield a pretty good chance of simply running Toure out of the game – which is essentially what happened as they recorded a 4-1 victory at the Etihad in November.
And nobody represents that better than Reds skipper Jordan Henderson. The England international hasn’t been at his best this season following a lengthy spell on the sidelines but he possesses the natural industry and athleticism to cause serious problems for City’s workshy centre-mid.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO VS DAVID SILVA
It remains to be seen where Philippe Coutinho will line up on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp’s preferred formation remains unclear and the Brazil international has been utilised on both wings, as a central midfielder and as a No.10 this season.
Nonetheless, Coutinho’s job will be essentially the same as that of Man City playmaker David Silva – provide creativity and match-winning quality from midfield.
Both have been in relatively good form this season; Coutinho boasts five goals and five assists in 18 Premier League outings, whilst Silva has claimed two goals and eight assists from the same number of games.
So although neither will be particularly concerned with stopping the other – in fact, Coutinho could well find himself operating almost as a wide forward whilst Silva is certain to start at No.10 – the Capital One Cup final could well hinge on who provides a moment of individual genius.
