Manchester City set their sights on Liverpool’s record ahead of their League Cup semi-final tie at Old Trafford

The Citizens are eyeing up their eighth League Cup triumph ahead of their eagerly anticipated semi-final against fierce rivals Manchester United.

 Pep Guardiola’s side have an astounding record in the competition, winning the trophy four times in the last five years. This puts them just one behind record holders Liverpool with eight.

Their task will not be simple though, as they must beat an in-form Manchester United in a one-legged showdown in order to progress.

The Red Devils have silenced their critics in recent times as they currently sit level on points with league leaders Liverpool, despite having a game in hand. They are unbeaten in their last 11 league games, in a run that spans back to the beginning of November.

Even with their abundance of missing players, City have also been on an excellent vain of form recently, after failing to lose in each of their last 11 games in all competitions.

However, they have been hit hardest by the hectic schedule of games over the festive period and could see up six key players unavailable for tomorrow’s derby.

Aymeric Laporte is still recovering from a hamstring problem that ruled him out of the Chelsea game and Ferran Torres remains side-lined until at least mid-January after sustaining on injury on Boxing Day.

The other four players: Ederson, Eric Garcia, Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker are continuing to self-isolate following the coronavirus outbreak at the club last week.

The home side will only be without Edinson Cavani, who is still serving the second match of  his three-match suspension, and Victor Lindelöf, who’s presence hasn’t been missed since the return of Eric Bailly. The Ivorian stalwart has cemented his place in the first team following an array of impressive performances.

The two sides met at this stage in the competition last year with the Citizens prevailing 3-2 after two legs. However, the home side managed to get revenge by doing an unexpected league double against their neighbours last season.

City fans will be hoping youngster Phil Foden can make the all-important difference and fire his side to yet another trip cup final. The English attacking midfielder put in a man-of-the-match performance during City’s 3-1 rout at Stamford Bridge, racking up a goal and an assist in the process.

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