MONDAY'S English Premier League game will showpiece plenty of talent but the match itself may struggle to live up to the hype.
Sky Sports must have thought they had a good one on their hands when live TV coverage was scheduled for this Anfield clash but last week's defeat at West Brom means it's not the Champions League qualification showdown it could have been.
Eleven points is too big a gap between the sides with Liverpool probably already looking to next season.
That fact's been reinforced by the decision to send Steven Gerrard for a season-ending op as he bids to be 100 per cent for the start of the new campaign.
City on the other hand need a win to move back to third and more importantly restore their six-point advantage over Spurs in the fight for the final Champions League place.
I can't see them losing but whether they win will be down to how positive boss Roberto Mancini is prepared to be. He threw away his defensive tactics for last week's 5-0 win against Sunderland but in three previous games City had netted just three times.
If he's prepared to attack a defence missing the likes of Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger I think Mancini's men will men. City are a biggest 2-1 with Stan James while Liverpool are 13-8 at Chandler and William Hill with the draw 23-10 at Coral and Ladbrokes.
Less risky is City on the double chance (not to lose) at 8-15 with Betfred while under 2.75 goals looks likely at 1-2 with bet365.
Mario Balotelli didn't score in the rout against Sunderland but played with a smile on his face. He could be the man to back at 7-1 with Coral and Hills to score first while Carlos Tevez is 6-1 at Coral.
Andy Carroll, yet to open his account for Liverpool, is 6-1 with Coral and 2-1 with the firm to score first. Luis Suarez is 11-2 with Coral.
Recommendations
Man City double chance (8-15, Betfred)
Man City draw no bet (11-10, boylesports, Stan James)
In December 2020 we sadly 
