Eriksson picks Elano, Bianchi on the bench

Star man Elano was back for Manchester City but there was no place in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s starting line-up for Rolando Bianchi as the Blues tackle Liverpool at Eastlands looking to jump above their visitors into fourth.

Elano and former Reds favourite Dietmar Hamann were both recalled, with Bianchi - who was forced this week to deny comments attacking the English game – one of the men dropping out.

With Sami Hyypia failing to recover from a twisted ankle, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could at least bring in Alvaro Arbeloa, who overcame a bout of flu to partner Jamie Carragher in central defence.

Man City: Hart, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Ireland, Hamann, Corluka, Petrov, Elano, Vassell.

Subs: Isaksson, Bojinov, Geovanni, Bianchi, Garrido.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell, Torres, Kuyt.

Subs: Itandje, Riise, Voronin, Alonso, Babel.

Referee: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire)