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.