Guardiola: Maybe Manchester City will finish seventh or eighth

"He is young, we can not forget, but the way he defends and fights is incredible", City manager Pep Guardiola said. Everyone knows how important this competition is and last time I played this competition I won it, so that could be good luck for us.

Jurgen Klopp's side came close to doing it past year, finishing just a solitary point behind City. They have had good results in the last two games so it is a hard test for us.

"Sergio is irreplaceable. What he means to our fans, for what he has done, the goal against QPR... we need a good backup for all the players and Sergio has a great complimentary player in Gabriel".

Wilder, who watched his side lose 2-0 at runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool on Thursday, has said he will make 11 changes this weekend after a hectic Christmas schedule.

Ancelotti also stated that City's failure to keep up last season's form is costing them this year. We have a hard game now against Liverpool and we have to keep our spirit.

"We don't have to look too much to the opponent because they are really strong so it's better to be focused on our idea of football".

"I found the players with character, with good attitude so I think this was the reason I didn't change a lot".

Ancelotti is set to lead Everton in his first Merseyside derby on Sunday, with the Toffees preparing to face Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup.

"Being far from the first position after having been champions of the two previous seasons, the teams in normal situation give up and can finish seventh or eighth of the classification".

There was no need for divine intervention against Everton, although with Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker among those left out by Guardiola, the visitors almost snatched a shock lead when Seamus Coleman's volley forced a one-handed save from Claudio Bravo.

"Maybe we are going to finish seventh at the end of the [season], but not because we don't try".

"Not just second half".

"We can do it in the future". We played the top. The five guys are so good with the ball.