Can Liverpool win the League Cup for a ninth time

Speculation is rife over the Chilean’s future at City, with Pep Guardiola tipped to take over regardless of what Pellegrini achieves this season.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that they now have a fully fit in-form Sergio Agüero, and he believes that the 27-year-old will be a vital player in the race for the title. “That’s more important than if you win a title or not for the owners”.

“Tom Cleverley has done well but I prefer James McCarthy in there and when he doesn’t play I think they suffer”. You can not just click our fingers overnight and expect to become a good team. “It’s not the same as the Premier League when you must win”.

Everton have earned plaudits for their attack this season, with their 36 goals in 20 games making them the third highest scorers in the Premier League, but their defence has looked vulnerable, something underlined in their recent 4-3 loss to Stoke City last month. Please note that comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language and will be removed accordingly.

Everton are now 11th in the Premier League after drawing 1-1 at home to fourth-placed Tottenham on Sunday.

“I think if you play the semi-final of the FA Cup and you are in semi-final of the Champions League, then you do not have time to play one of the games”.

Although not discussing this precise scenario Pellegrini, whose contract expires at the end of the 2016-17 season, stated that if he were to win the championship and then be removed that would be acceptable.

Antipathy between the north-west neighbours has festered since City surged past Everton with the assistance of Arab wealth, in part because one of the regime’s first statements of intent in the transfer market came at the Merseysiders’ expense. Everton have a team capable of hurting Manchester City and I’m not 100% that Manuel Pelligrini will put out his full team in this game, this is the fourth most important competition for City where it is probably the most important one for Everton and their fans. “I am”, said Barry.

There have been just four wins in 12 matches in all competitions and the sense a talented squad should be doing better has resulted in a disconnect between certain players and the fans and some supporters and the manager.

“Occasionally when I come off during a game I get a little bit angry. I am sorry about Rafa Benitez because I think he is a manager who deserves respect but it is not unusual what happened at Real Madrid”.

“I’ve played against Manchester City three times since I left and have lost them all”, he said. “But it’s only because I want to play in every game and every minute to help my team-mates”.