After Qatar, club football steps into Christmas with a real cracker

Man City and Liverpool shook off any ring rust with a high-tempo, high-scoring Cup game.

FRIENDS REUNITED: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the Carabao Cup fourth round match.

The World Cup, and especially its remarkable finale, provided some much-needed fun in the sun but when you’ve been brought up on high energy football in the rain played in front of baying crowds, there was a thrill to seeing Manchester City and Liverpool back in action.

We are now only a few days away from the return of the Premier League, and the Carabao Cup gave us a reminder of what’s to come.