Second-placed Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday, kick-off at 15:00 hours (GMT). The Reds, five points behind leaders Manchester United, face the Sky Blues ahead of what will be a crucial period for Torres’ team. Liverpool face Man City, Real Madrid twice in the Champions League, Sunderland and Boro, before then visiting Old Trafford on March 14.

Liverpool and Manchester City have met a total of 145 times, with the Anfield club doubling the number of victories achieved by City; gaining 74 wins to Liverpool’s 37; with the sides drawing on 34 occasions.

The last encounter between the two teams at Anfield ended 1-0 to the Merseysiders. Fernando Torres was the game’s only scorer as he found the back of the net in his eighth consecutive home league game to equal a club record.

Earlier this season, the Reds came back from two goals down at the break against the Sky Blues to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory. Two second-half goals from Fernando Torres, plus an injury-time strike from Kuyt, turned the game around for Liverpool.

The Anfield club pulled a goal back when Gerrard found Alvaro Arbeloa who crossed for the Spain’s number ‘9’ to slide the ball past Hart in the City goal. With just over 15 minutes remaining Torres gained a yard on his marker to head home Gerrard’s corner to make it 2-2. Fernando also had a hand in the winner as his shot broke to Kuyt who was left with the simple task of stroking the ball into the back of the net.

The Blues currently lie 9th with 31 points. A City victory looks unlikely on Sunday as Mark Hughes’ side have only picked-up one win on the road, and last weekend they fell to their seventh league defeat away from home, losing to Portsmouth 2-0.

Liverpool’s rivals are also in European competition and on Thursday night Manchester City drew 2-2 with FC Copenhagen in their UEFA Cup first-leg tie. City took the lead twice, but the Danish outfit salvaged an unlikely draw with a goal in the final minute.

Manchester City Football Club, who have won the League Championship on two occasions, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the European Cup Winners Cup once, was originally formed in 1880 as St. Marks, before changing their name to Ardwick A.F.C. in 1887, and again in 1894 when the club was finally called Manchester to City F.C..

The Sky Blues have won the League Championship on two occasions, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the European Cup Winners Cup once. Man City’s most successful spell came under the management of Joe Mercer during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

After Sunday’s clash, the Merseysiders will turn their attentions to the last sixteen of the Champions League as two of Europe’s heavyweights come face to face in a repeat of the European Cup Final from 1981.


Photo: www.liverpoolfc.tv