Zabaleta returns for City's clash with Reds

Defender Pablo Zabaleta makes his first appearance for Manchester City after a fortnight out injured.

There are three changes to the City side as Joleon Lescott and Jesus Navas also come in and Martin Demichelis, Gael Clichy and Edin Dzeko drop out.

For Liverpool, there is just one enforced change from the weekend win over Cardiff with a hamstring injury to Jon Flanagan meaning on-loan Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho comes in for his first appearance since November 9.

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Silva, Nasri, Negredo.

Subs: Milner, Dzeko, Javi Garcia, Clichy, Pantilimon, Nastasic, Boyata.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Cissokho, Henderson, Allen, Lucas, Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho.

Subs: Brad Jones, Toure, Agger, Alberto, Aspas, Moses, Smith.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)