'Willy Caballero was Manchester City 's shoot-out hero as Manuel Pellegrini signed off with a trophy.'
Caballero,
given a run-out as City's specialist cup keeper in preference to
England No.1 Joe Hart, saved three penalties in the lottery to leave
Liverpool broken-hearted.Liverpool's last three major trophies had been won on penalty shoot-outs, and they were taken to the spot-kicks lottery by Carlisle and Stoke on the road to Wembley, so it was somehow inevitable that Jurgen Klopp's first tilt at silverware in English football should boil down to a shoot-out. ......
Follow all the action as it happened
Caballero, given a run-out as City's specialist cup keeper in preference to England No.1 Joe Hart, saved three penalties in the lottery to leave Liverpool broken-hearted.
Liverpool's last three major trophies had been won on penalty shoot-outs, and they were taken to the spot-kicks lottery by Carlisle and Stoke on the road to Wembley, so it was somehow inevitable that Jurgen Klopp's first tilt at silverware in English football should boil down to a shoot-out. ......
Narrative by Alex Richards in the mirror
Key Events In The Penalty Shoot Out1 min ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-3 Man City (Toure)
2 mins ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man City (Aguero)
4 mins ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Man City (Navas)
6 mins ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Can)
12 mins ago FT in ET: It's penalties!
29 mins ago PEEEP! HT in ET
19:15 Key event
Winners. Jubiliant Man city Players
GOAL! Liverpool 1-3 Man City (Toure)
GOALLLLL!!!Manchester City have won the League Cup!!!!
Mignolet goes the right way again....but he’s beaten into the bottom corner.
Manchester City have won the trophy, 3-1 on penalties.
Breaking news
SAVE! Liverpool 1-2 Man City (Lallana)
WOW!Terrific one-handed save from Caballero denies Lallana.
Now Yaya Toure to win it...
Goal
GOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man City (Aguero)
He’s had a horrible day in front of goal Sergio Aguero.But he’s nailed this one.
Side foot, straight into the bottom corner.
Breaking news
MISS! Liverpool 1-1 Man City (Coutinho misses)
Awful spot-kick from Coutinho.He stutters, Caballero doesn’t blink, and then a tame penalty is easily saved.
Advantage City.
Goal
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Man City (Navas)
Jesus Navas finds the inside netting.Excellent penalty from the Spaniard.
Mignolet again went the right way.
Two penalties each, 1-1.
Breaking news
MISS! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Lucas misses)
Lucas, outstanding today, steps up next.He opens his body, goes high, and Caballero saves it.
Fine save from the Argentine.
Breaking news
MISS! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Fernandinho misses)
Mignolet makes himself look big.He dives the right way.
But it doesn’t matter as he hits the post.
Goal
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Can)
Delightful start to the shootout from Emre Can.A casual little dink down the middle.
Wonderful from the German.
So, who steps up first.
Who would you back....It’s Emre Can up first!
Shooting at the Man City fans.
Key event
FT in ET: It's penalties!
That’s that folks.Full-time: Liverpool 1-1 Man City.
Do NOT go anywhere.
25 secs ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-3 Man City (Toure)
1 min ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man City (Aguero)
3 mins ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Man City (Navas)
5 mins ago GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Can)
11 mins ago FT in ET: It's penalties!
28 mins ago PEEEP! HT in ET
29 mins ago Aguero denied!
19:15 Key event
GOAL! Liverpool 1-3 Man City (Toure)
GOALLLLL!!!Manchester City have won the League Cup!!!!
Mignolet goes the right way again....but he’s beaten into the bottom corner.
Manchester City have won the trophy, 3-1 on penalties.
Breaking news
SAVE! Liverpool 1-2 Man City (Lallana)
WOW!Terrific one-handed save from Caballero denies Lallana.
Now Yaya Toure to win it...
Goal
GOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man City (Aguero)
He’s had a horrible day in front of goal Sergio Aguero.But he’s nailed this one.
Side foot, straight into the bottom corner.
Breaking news
MISS! Liverpool 1-1 Man City (Coutinho misses)
Awful spot-kick from Coutinho.He stutters, Caballero doesn’t blink, and then a tame penalty is easily saved.
Advantage City.
Goal
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Man City (Navas)
Jesus Navas finds the inside netting.Excellent penalty from the Spaniard.
Mignolet again went the right way.
Two penalties each, 1-1.
Breaking news
MISS! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Lucas misses)
Lucas, outstanding today, steps up next.He opens his body, goes high, and Caballero saves it.
Fine save from the Argentine.
Breaking news
MISS! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Fernandinho misses)
Mignolet makes himself look big.He dives the right way.
But it doesn’t matter as he hits the post.
Goal
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Can)
Delightful start to the shootout from Emre Can.A casual little dink down the middle.
Wonderful from the German.
So, who steps up first.
Who would you back....It’s Emre Can up first!
Shooting at the Man City fans.
Key event
FT in ET: It's penalties!
That’s that folks.Full-time: Liverpool 1-1 Man City.
Do NOT go anywhere.
Another chance to nick a late winner.
Toure’s delivery is a fine one, and Lucas is again in the right position.
Another corner. Navas delivers...And Fernandinho meets but puts it well wide!
Yellow card
FIGHT!
Lallana flies into Bony.Foul given.
Toure then raises a hight leg on Lallana.
Cue, fireworks.
A little slap from Toure, Toure lifting Lallana off the floor.
Tempers flaring.
Yellows for both.
Lucas excellent throughout
Crunching tackle from Lucas on Zabaleta as he raids down the right.Brazilian snuffs out the danger in ferocious style.
He’s been outstanding today.
For me, Man of the Match.
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It's not Aguero's day
James Milner you lucky boy.How often does Sergio Aguero miss THREE guilt-edged chances in one game?
Long punt from Cabellero, flick from Bony, Milner looks to head to his keeper...And Aguero volleys over!
Most unlike him.
SUB: Bony ON, Silva off
Sturridge flights the freekick but it’s comfortable for Caballero.Neither settling for penalties here.
Action Action Action
Silva spins and tries to find Sterling with a ball inside the fullback - but it’s badly overhit.Sturridge mugs Kompany and feds Origi...he stands one up, but Lallana gets in Sturridge’s way...he should have called for it.
Form there Toure clangs forward...and is denied by his brother!!
Back come Liverpool...and Caballero makes an outstanding save to deny Origi!
Then with City rocking Clyne arrives on the edge of the box and is hammered by Otamendi.
Second half in ET
We’re back underway.Will we get a winner?
Key event
PEEEP! HT in ET
Half-time in extra-time.Still 1-1.
15’ to go,....then penalties.
Key event
Aguero denied!
More from Liverpool down the right, involving Navas, Zabaleta and Aguero gets them some space.Aguero shuffles left, plays it to Silva who rolls it back to him...but clean through, the usually clinical Aguero is denied by Mignolet.
Superb save.
Liverpool’s ability to stay onside likewise...Eight offsides to zero they lead on that particular count.
Lucas as surprised as everyone else.
City gaining ground but unable to really create any real chance...Liverpool unable to either.
One really strong challenge between Lallana and Zabaleta...the former is now over on that left, looking to help out Milner against Zaba and Navas.
Both manager’s increasingly making slight alterations.
Liverpool almost catch City on the break, but Kompany nips in.
Sturridge then fires towards goal, but only gets a corner - which comes to nothing.
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SUBS: Zabaleta and Navas ON, Fernando and Sagna off
James Milner, your defensive examination starts now.Bright sub from Manuel Pellegrini.
He’s overloading the right, bringing on Zabaleta and Jesus Navas.
They’ll tag team Milner.
Key event
PEEEP! Liverpool 1-1 Man City - Extra-time folks
And that’s the final whistle of a much better second half at Wembley.Raheem Sterling lad. You should have won it for your team. Chances came and went for the Blues.
And they’ve been punished by his former side.
1-1, the Reds pushing, City pushing back.
Who can win it in ET?
Four minutes added on, we’ve played two of them.
Toure down, after a clash with Can. He puts the ball out kindly...not remembering the Moreno incident of the first half.
Now a City chance
Now Silva at the other end with half a chance, but it’s deflected wide.Corner from Sterling and Toure HAS to score.
But he heads down...and into his own man.
Mignolet scrambles it away...And the next corrner comes to nothing!
Yellow card
Kompany booked
Finally a yellow for Kompany.Better late than never.
Mignolet denies Fernando
City should have won it!The ball heads into the box and Fernando makes a nuisance of himself.
It bounces, he wins it...but he can only strike straight at Mignolet.
Something of a reprieve for the Belgian keeper.
Yellow card
Can booked
Choopped!Clichy rides forward and Can smashes him to the ground.
Yellow for the German.
Goal
GOALLLL!!!! Liverpool 1-1 Man City (Coutinho)
EQUALISER!!!They’ve thrown men forward and have an equaliser through Coutinho.
Coutinho drives from the left, it goes to the right via Origi and Henderson, is deflected into Sturridge’s path...he drives a low cross which Lallana meets and pings off the post.
But the ball runs to Coutinho, 12 yards out, and the Brazilian rattles it home.
1-1. Game on!
They’re overloading down both flanks, throwing bodies forward.
Milner again advances and is fouled down the left.
His inswinging delivery from the freekick goes straight into Caballero’s arms.
Final Liverpool sub: Origi on, Firmino off
Jurgen Klopp turns to his bench...And doesn’t turn to £32million Christian Benteke.Roberto Firmino is off. Two up top now for the Reds.
Meanwhile, on the pitch ahead of that change, Sterling has missed the target again, after more good work from Aguero. He’s just not a natural in the penalty area.
No booking as Liverpool get on with it quickly.
Definite raising of the tempo from the visitors.
But he gets caught in two minds - tuck inside onto the right, or drive to the byline on the left - and City clear.
As the ball comes back into the box, Otamendi decisively smashes away.
Yellow card
Fernando booked
Aguero fires one from distance, but Mignolet holds well.Now Fernando gets a yellow, for a tug on Lallana.
Firmino meanwhile is offside for the 18th* time today.
*Approximately.
SUB: Moreno off, Lallana on
Guus Hiddink subbed Baba Rahman at halftime after he had a shocker for Chelsea at Southampton yesterday.Moreno has somehow managed an extra 25 minutes here. He’s been dire.
Lallana goes into an attacking role, James Milner moves to left-back.
20' left
How long until Brendan Rodgers calls on Christian Benteke?Well a while longer it seems...Adam Lallana is preparing himself to come on.
He’s stripped off on the side and is going through some tactical instructions, as Liverpool win a corner.
Milner takes it, plays a one-two with Moreno, but his cross is nodded away well by Fernando.
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Yellow card
Moreno booked
Well, it’s easier to give decisions outside the box.Moreno brings down Fernandinho.
Yellow card.
Moreno constantly out of position tonight.
Silva’s freekick goes over the bar.
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City penalty...NOT GIVEN
Every day of the week, MIchael Oliver should be blowing his whistle and giving a penalty.Somehow, for reasons only he can fathom, he doesn’t give it.
Aguero latches onto a long ball, is caught up by Moreno for pace, but the City striker steps inside the Liverpool man in the box.
Moreno, facing the wrong way, sticks out his back leg. He clearly brings down the Argentine...but Michael Oliver turns it down.
City are furious and rightfully so.
A HUGE miss from Sterling
It should be 2-0.And Raheem Sterling should have notched against his former club.
An excellent counter from City, Yaya Toure at the heart, clunking through midfield.
The Ivorian picks the right pass, right to David Silva (where was Alberto Moreno?) who in turn squares to Sterling.
Eight yards out, he picks his spot....but slides it wide of the post.
Should have scored.
Will City live to regret it?
Almost with an excellent goal.
Good one touch play involving Henderson, Coutinho and Sturridge, leaves the latter playing a cute through pass through for Milner.
But the ex-Man City man can’t hit the target with his left foot, under pressure from a sliding Otamendi.
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Our man Dave Kidd isn’t too happy with the diving.Not sure he meant the Sterling incident mind.
Yellow card
Clyne booked
Nathaniel Clyne gets the first yellow card of the game.A little late on Raheem Sterling, he steps on his foot and City have a freekick in a dangerous position on the left.
Silva swings over but Mignolet claims well.
Goal
GOAL!!!! Liverpool 0-1 Man City (Fernandinho)
Manchester City lead!Fernandinho fires them in front - but Simon Mignolet should save it!
Anyway, City win the ball on the left and waste no time in finding Aguero in the inside right channel.
He controls, waits, finds Fernandinho on the overlap and he drills hard and low...and through the Liverpool keeper.
Nightmare for the Belgian, delight for the Brazilian.
1-0 City.
A nice flick from the former finds the latter down the left.
No danger comes however and after a Can ball into the box is cleared, City break.
Silva hooks one over Lucas to Aguero in an inside right channel.
He advances but the angle is acute - and he fires well over.
Key event
Here we go...2nd half underway
The teams are back out at Wembley.No changes for either side.
And we’re back underway...
Key event
So what next at Wembley?
Hopefully better.As good as City were in Ukraine in midweek, they’ve been off the pace somewhat here.
Aguero had the best opportunity, no doubt. But they should be asking more questions of a makeshift Reds defence.
More from David Silva. More from Yaya Toure. Utilising the pace of Sterling quicker, getting him 1v1 opportunities.
That’s the way they win this game.
For Liverpool, more assuredness when they get the ball. A little more certainty when they make that forward pass.
And the delivery into Daniel Sturridge needs to be better. Get the ball into him when he’s half turned, not facing his own goal, and they’ll get more joy.
But overall, for both...better decisions.
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You can prove anything with stats (especially wrong ones)
Erm, where have they got these stats from?These just aren’t correct at all.
Key event
PEEEP! HT: Liverpool 0-0 Man City
Well after the excitement at Old Trafford earlier today, let’s just call a spade a spade shall we; That was dire.So many technically-gifted players on show, but such a poor lack of quality.
The only real moment to get anyone excited, Mignolet’s excellent save to deny Aguero an opener.
That apart...Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Both sides lucky to get nil.
It’s flicked on by Can, then Sturridge...and sits nicely for Coutinho to volley.
But the Brazilian slashes horribly at it and City smuggle it away to safety.
Two minutes added on.
Last ditch Milner
Some neat passing from City, involving Aguero and Silva midway inside the Reds half, is crudely ended as Lucas flies in on the Argentine.Clear foul - he was very late - results in a word from Michael Oliver, who originally hadn’t even looked like giving a foul.
So a City freekick, 35 yards from goal; Toure over it. Surely not within shooting distance.
Toure hangs one up to the far post where Otamendi beats Firmino...it bounces down for the Argentine, but James Milner gets in with a last-ditch challenge.
Corner, which is overhit by Sterling - to the cheers of the Liverpool end.
Neither is finding any real flow.
Do better the general message.
He plays a one-two with Silva and City have a corner.
That comes to nothing, but Kompany wins another off Milner.
This time Silva’s delivery is just too high for Toure, and Aguero wins a throw on the far side.
But it’s offside against James Milner.
Real shortage of quality from both sides.
Nerves inhibiting both.
Alberto Moreno flung himself to the floor in search of a penalty.
Embarrassing dive.
City right to carry on, but Sterling’s shot deflects wide.
Wins the right term, because it was never a foul.
Milner taps it to Coutinho who shoots - he cuts across it and it heads out for a throw...but Toure wasn’t far away.
Lucas has shuffled to the left of City’s defensive partnership, with Toure to his right - he and Sakho had been the opposite way round.
Something Aguero can take advantage of?
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Sub: Sakho off, Toure on
And that’s the end of Sakho’s day.He’s had more treatment and wanted to return.
But the physios and Jurgen Klopp have stood their ground and rightfully made the change.
On comes Kolo Toure.
Key event
Aguero hits the post!
This is some save from Simon Mignolet.Mamadou Sakho - not recovered from the clash of heads - is skinned by Sergio Aguero.
Clean through, he pulls the trigger - but Mignolet makes an excellent stop, down low to his left, turning it onto the post.
Some stop from the Belgian.
Aguero flicks away from Sakho intelligently and gets into the box, but Lucas is over quickly to deny him anything like a sight on goal.
Liverpool try to break the other way, but a fine challenge from Clichy brings Milner’s run down the right to an end.
Right now, the flanks look increasingly important; not an inch being given centrally.
Sterling has won another freekick, shuffling past Henderson twice and forcing a foul from the Reds captain.
Clash of heads
Ouch!Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can have clashed heads and it’s a nasty one.
Sagna’s throw, Sakho leaps above Can - who goes for it also - and heads the ball, the man, everything.
Both look a little groggy; Kolo Toure is out warming up.
Possibly an early change for Klopp? He’ll have to keep an eye on both men in the next few minutes.
He’s bombing down the right wing, getting back to help Sagna, tucking in to help Fernando and Toure.
It’ll be some going to keep this up for 90 minutes (or even longer).
Good defending from Lucas
Good defending from Lucas at the near post.A big call from Klopp to go with the Brazilian and he shows his worth with an excellent defensive header, getting away a Bacary Sagna cross; both Silva and Toure were coming in behind.
His passing from the back might also help. Already he’s found midfielders in space early on.
Clyne the guilty party.
Fortunately for the Reds, the inswinging freekick comes to nothing.
Almost a chance
Not really an early set pattern just now.Opening four minutes pretty scrappy as both look to settle into their surroundings.
Both want to dominate, but you feel Liverpool are also the happier to play more exclusively on the counter.
Already, when they do dominate possession, Nathaniel Clyne is finding a lot of room on the right, as Sterling has to tuck in and defend.
Clyne is almost through on goal, but Coutinho’s no-look pass (why didn’t he just play it properly and focus) is overhit.
Sharp enough start from Liverpool, who played against Augsburg on Thursday night.
City team has Fernandinho playing from the right - insurance against Moreno’s bursts and when Toure leaves his midfield zone - with David Silva in the hole behind Sergio Aguero.
Boos for Raheem Sterling already.
Key event
PEEEP: Game on!
The hugs are done.The managers are sat.
Michael Oliver, our official, blows his whistle.
And we’re off....
Photo: Reuters / Carl Recine
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Here’s hoping for more of the same today.Wembley is awash with colour.
This could be a fantastic match - let’s hope it delivers.
The teams are out!
Here we go then folks.The two teams leave the tunnel.
Manuel Pellegrini and Jurgen Klopp both suited and booted.
The teams now line up for the national anthem.
Photo: Liverpool Echo
Key event
Big Battle 2: Emre Can vs Yaya Toure
Emre Can has become an increasingly powerful focal point in the Reds midfield.Today, he plays in the deep-lying midfield role, where his direct opponent will be Yaya Toure.
When Toure clunks it up a gear, can Can get to grips with him?
It could prove crucial, to both sides’ hopes at Wembley today.
Key event
Big Battle 1: Otamendi vs Sturridge
Nicolas Otamendi cost Man City an absolute bomb last summer and he’s struggled to justify the outlay.But in midweek against Dynamo Kiev, the Argentine looked very good; physically imposing, aerially dominant, he pressed the ball well, made challenges and interceptions high up the field and nicked ahead of his striker time and again.
Today, he’ll hope to impose himself on Daniel Sturridge - a player of whose physical and mental state, much has been made.
Sturridge is a catalyst for this Reds side, his movement, touch and finishing adding something extra; something they don’t have. Jurgen Klopp loves how good he is, a killer in the penalty area.
Today, can he kill his former club? Get the better of Otamendi and he’s got half a chance.
Key event
Manchester City's key man - Vincent Kompany
Charged with stopping Sturridge will be Vincent Kompany, who also looks to be coming back his best following a nightmare spell with injuries.The City backline is a different beast altogether when the skipper is in in the line-up, as he brings the best out his defensive partners.
Key event
Liverpool's key man - Daniel Sturridge
A fit and firing Daniel Sturridge is one of the Premier League’s most dangerous players.The England striker looks to finally be returning to full fitness, having started the Reds’ last three games and should be able to get at City’s less than convincing defence.
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Who's Noel Gallagher tipping?
Die-hard City fan Noel Gallagher has been to Wembley a few times - he was there when they were mugging off Gillingham in the playoffs (Paul Dickov everyone).Gallagher’s at Wembley again today.
And here’s his tip for the game (unsurprisingly, he goes for a City win)
Key event
Who wins?
Simple premise folks.Pick today’s winner:
Who will win the Capital One Cup?
3,000+ VOTES SO FAR
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Wembley Way now absolutely packed with fans of both sides.Less than 30 minutes to go...
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Quick tour of the City dressing room
Quick tour of the City dressing room.Interesting that Raheem Sterling sits between Gael Clichy and Nicolas Otamendi.
Wonder what they talk about? Hair possibly high on the list.
John W. Henry in the house
The Liverpool owner is in attendance.John W. Henry enjoying the pitchside atmosphere with his wife, Lind Pizzuti.
Not sure about the shades. Bet they’re costly however.
Key event
Team reaction: Liverpool
For Jurgen Klopp right now, this is as strong as his starting XI can be.With centre-halves missing and Lucas’ experience, him alongside Sakho - rather than Toure - was the only big call. He goes with the Brazilian.
The balance of midfield is how he’s increasingly liked it of late: Can sitting, Henderson next to him, Milner and Coutinho interchanging left of centre and Firmino coming in from the right.
Up front, Daniel Sturridge is a major plus. Against his former club, can he fire the Reds to victory?
Key event
Team reaction: CITY
First things first - NO Joe Hart.So Willy Caballero has been City’s cup keeper this season. And it would be quite the statement from Manuel Pellegrini to pull away from that now.
But surely in a final like this, your No.1 keeper - when he’s so much better than your No.2 - has to start.
Photo: Getty
And it frees up Yaya Toure further forward to try and impact the game - assuming Fernandinho doesn’t play in the narrow right-side position he occupied in midweek.
Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling offer pace in the final third. Boos are certain from the Liverpool fans whenever Sterling gets the ball - his battle with Nathaniel Clyne could be crucial here, as City hope to create chances. Aguero, lethal and in form, will take whatever comes his way.
Key event
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lucas, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Milner, Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge.Subs: Bogdan, Toure, Benteke, Lallana, Allen, Origi, Flanagan.
******
Man City XI: Caballero; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Silva, Toure, Sterling; Aguero.
Subs: Hart, Kolarov, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Navas, Iheanacho, Bony
Pellegrini on Liverpool
The Reds ran riot at the Etihad earlier this season.Can Manuel Pellegrini stop something similar today?
“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.”
Programmes rinsing the fans
The cost of a programme at Wembley today: £10.Yep, £10 for a bloomin’ programme.
Yes it’s a special occasion. Yes it’s a cup final.
But that’s just another way of ripping off supporters.
Recent form
So what shape are the pair in coming into today’s clash?Well, heres the last five matches for both:
Liverpool
- Liverpool 1-0 Augsburg (Europa League)
- Augsburg 0-0 Liverpool (Europa Leauge)
- Aston Villa 0-6 Liverpool (Premier League)
- West Ham 2-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
- Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland (Premier League)
- Dynamo Kiev 1-3 Manchester City (Champions League)
- Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City (FA Cup)
- Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham (Premier League)
- Manchester City 1-3 Leicester (Premier League)
- Sunderland 0-1 Manchester City (Premier League)
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The skipper's pennant
Here’s what Vincent Kompany has waiting for him at Wembley today.He’s back fit and will lead the City defence.
Will he lift the trophy?
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Wembley Way filling up
Little over two hours until kickoff now and Wembley Way is filling up nicely.Fans of both clubs making their way from Wembley tube to the stadium.
When they return, who will be happier?
Simon Mullock
McManaman: Klopp can become a Liverpool GOD!
Jurgen Klopp’s fun-loving approach to management has already turned him into a Spice Boy – but today he can become a Liverpool god.So says Reds legend Steve McManaman, who believes a League Cup win againstManchester City can elevate the German to the status of Merseyside messiah.
McManaman won two major trophies with Liverpool and is remembered as being part of an entertaining side which included Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp.
It was 20 years ago, before the FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester United, that the “Spice Boys” famously emerged from their team bus wearing white suits.
Macca doesn’t expect Klopp’s men to wear similar attire at Wembley on Sunday – but he thinks a victory will ensure the coach becomes a Kop icon.
“If he wins his first Liverpool trophy after only four months at the club people will think he’s a god,” he said.
“There’s only a couple of trophies to be won this year and if he wins this trophy it’s a huge success for Liverpool – even if he finishes 10th in the league. I think Klopp would have enjoyed the entertainment value of our Liverpool team.
“We’re in the entertainment business. You need the superstars. In this Liverpool team no one really jumps out.
“He’s the superstar. He’s not kicking the ball on the field but he’s the one. When you see his reaction, running down the field, jumping in the air, reacting like a fan, it’s great that he’s passionate and animated.”
Photo: Getty
Simon Mullock
Paul Walsh: A crucial day for Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge has been warned he could become the most unwanted man in football ahead of Sunday’s Capital One Cup Final.Ex-Liverpool and Manchester City striker Paul Walsh believes that the England international is now standing at the crossroads of his career.
Walsh’s two former clubs clash at Wembley - and he feels that Sturridge could become surplus to requirements at Anfield if he fails to shake off the injury and fitness problems that have plagued him for two years.
The only problem is, that Walsh can’t see how another club could afford to take a gamble on the fragile 26-year-old.
James Whaling
Reasons for City fans to be optimistic
And why should the Blue half of Wembley be optimistic today?For Citizens supporters, here’s three reasons of your own:
- City got over their three match losing streak in style on Wednesday, offering a hugely improved display in their 3-1 win at Dynamo Kiev
- Jurgen Klopp has a poor record in cup finals - reaching five at Dortmund, losing three
- City have only last one of their four League Cup finals
James Whaling
Reasons for Liverpool fans to be optimistic
So why should the Red half of Wembley be optimistic ahead of the action today?Here’s three very good reasons:
- Liverpool have not lost an FA or League Cup game to City since 1973
- Manchester City have lost their last three domestic games
- Liverpool recorded a convincing 4-1 win at the Etihad last time these sides met in November
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Watch: Klopp on the Cup final
Jurgen Klopp spoke ahead of today’s Cup final on Friday.Here’s what the German had to say, on the Reds tactics at Wembley:
“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.”
Roberto Firmino reveals father making his way from Rio
For Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino family is everything – and at Wembley he’ll have added motivation to win his first trophy at Liverpool.In the stands will be an extra-special fan, his dad Jose Roberto, who has made the 5,750-mile journey from Rio de Janiero to see his son try to win the Capital One Cup final against Manchester City, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.
Firmino senior himself is no stranger to sporting venues either having earned a living as a street hawker selling bottles of water from a cart at stadiums and concert venues in the family’s home city of Maceio in northern Brazil.
And as he takes to the field for today’s glittering show-piece, Firmino will hope to catch a glimpse of his proud dad who, along with mum Maria Cicera, helped make his dream of football stardom come true.
“My family mean a lot to me but I guess that’s like it is with every other player,” the Anfield star said. “My parents are everything to me as is my own family, my wife Larissa, my daughter Valentina and my baby son.
“We are a long way from our families so it is great that my dad is flying over for the game and I hope we can win the cup and make it a worthwhile journey.”
Robbie Savage
Robbie Savage's League Cup final viewpoint
Cup finals are not always an accurate reflection of two clubs’ relative strengths.But I make Manchester City favourites to win the Capital One Cup at Wembley on Sunday - because right now, if you compiled a combined City and Liverpool team, only one of Jurgen Klopp’s players would get in my hybrid XI.
That’s not to dismiss Liverpool’s chances outright. After all, they did win 4-1 at the Etihad in their last meeting.
But Philippe Coutinho would be the only representative from Anfield who would get in my composite 4-2-3-1 team from both squads: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy; Yaya Toure, Fernandinho; Coutinho, Silva, Sterling; Aguero.
If Daniel Sturridge had played 20 games in a row, you could make a strong case for him playing in a 4-4-2 instead of Sterling.
But on paper, City should be favourites and Liverpool still have a lot of ground to make up since City pipped them to the title in 2014.
Will Magee
7 things bound to happen if Jurgen Klopp wins the Capital One Cup
With the Capital One Cup final looming, Liverpool’s season is balanced on a knife edge.The Reds’ league campaign has been something of a rollercoaster since Jurgen Klopptook charge back in October; the team are currently eighth after dropping a hatful of points to smaller sides. Their performance this weekend will define their season.
Klopp will be desperate to secure some silverware in his first year in English football - this might be his only chance.
If Klopp does lift the League Cup, we can only imagine the absolute scenes that will ensue. Jurgen’s a pretty bombastic bloke, so his celebrations are bound to be magnificent.
How will Liverpool fans react, however? What will it mean for next season? In an attempt to answer these questions, we’ve tried to predict exactly what will happen if Klopp and co. win the cup. With our tongues firmly in our cheeks (of course), here are 7 things bound to take place if Liverpool beat Manchester City to the trophy...
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Capital One Cup: Team of the Tournament
Not sure what the relevence of this is at all.Not sure what it’s based on.
But hey, it looks good.
However, seeing Kevin de Bruyne’s name smack bang in the centre makes us sad. The Belgian misses out today, injured.
Reds fans arriving
We’re just under four hours from kickoff at Wembley, but supporters are already arriving on Wembley Way.A number of Liverpool fans made their way down to London last night and stayed over. Some City fans will have likely done similar.
Anyway, here’s some great snaps of fans arriving...including the obligatory half-and-half scarf.
Photo: Liverpool Echo/Jason Roberts
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One for the City fans
And the Blues have made their way to Wembley also!The team aren’t there yet, but members of City’s back room staff have arrived.
Two years ago, they saw off Sunderland here, coming from behind in a 3-1 win.
Same again?
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One for the Reds
One to get Liverpool fans in the mood today.Here’s Jordan Henderson’s strike at Anfield against Manchester City in last season’s Premier League clash.
Something similar today from the Reds skipper wouldn’t go amiss.
Kompany on his love for City and their "rich history"
Vincent Kompany’s accent is pure Belgian. But the words that came out of the Manchester City captain’s mouth as he looked ahead to the Capital One Cup Final could have been straight from Beswick, Burnage or Blackley.After almost eight years with City, the air turns a distinct shade of sky blue when Kompany talks about the club he has come to love.
Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee get name-checked, as does Tony Book, still the only City skipper to raise two trophies from the Royal Box at Wembley.
But it’s when Kompany speaks reverently about Paul Dickov and Shaun Goater that his message becomes clear.
“When I came here, I wanted to learn about the club and its past,” said the 29-year-old.
“And the thing I learned is that some people mistake trophies for history.”
Klopp takes a swipe at City
Jurgen Klopp insists he doesn’t need money to build a team capable of challenging Manchester City.The Kop boss will try to land his first piece of silverware for the Reds by overcoming Manuel Pellegrini’s men in the Capital Cup Final at Wembley.
But he is already aware that the cash being made available to rebuild the squad he inherited from Brendan Rodgers will be limited.
Klopp said: “It’s not about transfers, right player, big money.
“I don’t care. If we have money, then take it, use it.
“If we don’t have it, don’t say ‘we have not enough money’ - try a different way.
Photo: Reuters / Carl Recine
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It's cup final day...
Morning folks and welcome to Mirror Football’s live coverage of the Capital One Cup final.The first major trophy of the season is up for grabs at Wembley this afternoon and all signs points to a mouthwatering clash between north west rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
For Reds boss Jurgen Klopp this afternoon’s showpiece final gives the German a chance to land some silverware in his first season in English football as he continues to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. It’s been four years since Liverpool won a trophy and an early success will do no end of good for the German’s Anfield reign.
This is in stalk contrast to dead man walking Manuel Pellegrini, who is entering the final throws of his Manchester City career. The Chilean’s side have faltered in the Premier League in recent weeks and were dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend, so today’s final presents his best chance of landing a final trophy before he is discarded for Pep Guardiola in the summer.
The action gets under way at 4.30, but we’ve plenty of build-up before kick-off, so stay tuned.
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