No strikers for Liverpool as they take on Manchester City

Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge were all on the bench but Brendan Rodgers named Raheem Sterling at the apex of his 3-4-2-1 formation.

Rodgers made four changes from the side which lost 1-0 to Besiktas in midweek and exited the Europa League.

Balotelli and Sturridge dropped out of the attack with Jordan Ibe and Kolo Toure also being rested.

In came Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson, Lazar Markovic and Philippe Coutinho.

City also made changes after suffering defeat to Barcelona in midweek, although Manuel Pellegrini persisted with two strikers as Edin Dzeko kept his place.

Aleksandar Kolarov, Eliaquim Mangala, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho came in for Gael Clichy, Martin Demichelis, James Milner and Fernando.

Liverpool team: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Lovren, Markovic, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling. Subs: Ward, Toure, Lambert, Sturridge, Borini, Balotelli, Williams.

Manchester City team: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva, Nasri, Dzeko, Aguero. Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Clichy, Lampard, Bony, Milner, Fernando.