Liverpool vs. Manchester City: 5 Key Battles in League Cup Semifinal Showdown

Liverpool take on Manchester City in the League Cup semifinal second leg at Anfield in the knowledge that they could be just 90 minutes away from a first Wembley final since 1996.

The Reds lead 1-0 from the first leg after a Steven Gerrard penalty saw them triumph at the Etihad Stadium—only City's second defeat there in a year—and there will be a big tussle for the second slot in the Final between the two Premier League giants as they bid to face Cardiff City in late February, who defeated Crystal Palace on penalties in the other semifinal.

Here are the five key matchups for the game, which could decide if the Reds march on under Kenny Dalglish towards their first competitive Cup final in close to five years.

Pepe Reina vs. Sergio Aguero

First and foremost, there is one very possible outcome for the League Cup semifinal second leg: If Manchester City do not score, Liverpool will be in the final at Wembley at the end of next month.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, it is likely that Liverpool will have to do quite a fair amount of defending at Anfield.

In the recent Premier League meeting between the sides, Sergio Aguero put one over Pepe Reina by beating him with a pretty soft effort from the edge of the box to open the scoring.

However, in the first leg of this semifinal, it was Reina who came out on top by keeping out Aguero and his teammates.

A similar display of resilience by Pepe and his defenders tonight will ensure it is the Reds who meet Cardiff City at Wembley, regardless of the performance at the other end of the pitch.

Glen Johnson vs. Adam Johnson

Though by no means a regular in Premier League action from the start, English winger Adam Johnson has been featuring in the cup competitions for Manchester City and will more than likely get another opportunity to shine at Anfield in the second leg of the League Cup semifinal.

City need to create chances, as they trail in the tie by a goal, and Johnson certainly gives them a real presence in the final third with his pace and direct style of play.

To combat his preference of cutting in from the right flank onto his favoured left foot, Kenny Dalglish would be wise to again face up Glen Johnson to his namesake, Adam.

Playing a right-footed defender on the left side is something Liverpool are no stranger to, with the Red Johnson having done that himself last season for a spell, while Alvaro Arbeloa also made his Liverpool debut doing the same job against Leo Messi of all people in a Champions League tie against Barcelona.

Glen Johnson will have no trouble keeping up with Adam in the one-on-one duels as they face up down the Manchester City right flank, and Adam's natural instincts to cut inside will favour Glen, as the ball will be on his own preferred right foot.

Steven Gerrard vs. James Milner

With Liverpool lacking a naturally-defensive midfielder at the moment, though Jay Spearing is likely to return to the Reds' starting 11 against Manchester City, a lot of emphasis will be placed on Steven Gerrard to control the game from the middle of the park.

The Reds were woeful against Bolton Wanderers at the weekend, and Gerrard, as captain, will know that on his shoulders rests the expectation of leading Liverpool back to Wembley.

He will have to put on a strong performance to best a fellow English midfielder, James Milner, who will likely play central midfield for City, as they are missing one or two other players.

Milner is tough, can pass, is certainly not afraid of a challenge and will try to start attacks by looking to get the ball to his creative wide teammates such as David Silva and Adam Johnson, should they both start.

Getting Gerrard close to Milner when he has the ball and stopping the supply to these creative outlets will be an important job if the Reds are to nullify as much as possible the numerous attacking abilities that City will showcase at Anfield.

At the other end, Gerrard will need to get forward whenever possible to support his attacking teammates, as few of them possess such a goal threat as the Liverpool No. 8.

A second goal of the tie for the skipper would put the Reds in a very strong position.

Andy Carroll vs. Stefan Savic

It is not entirely clear yet whether Liverpool will indeed start with Andy Carroll up front or Dirk Kuyt. Carroll began the match against Bolton, but the team as a whole came in for criticism for their lacklustre display, and the big Geordie has not really started consecutive matches on too many occasions this season.

However, Carroll showed a few signs against Manchester City last time out that he could trouble their back-line. Stefan Savic will likely continue in the centre of defence for the Etihad Stadium outfit, and he has been far from convincing in his performances to date.

Carroll needs to get close to him, bully him off the ball and beat him either on the ground or in the air nice and early to let the young defender know he is in for a tough night.

Savic has been prone to errors in the games he has played thus far in light blue; Carroll needs to be ready to take advantage should he present another one to Liverpool in the semifinal second leg at Anfield.

Stewart Downing vs. Micah Richards

A much more speculative matchup this one in that there is little to suggest that Stewart Downing might get the nod; he has been in and out of the Liverpool team lately, and his form has been sketchy—putting it kindly.

However, one thing he does possess is pace, and Liverpool are likely to rely somewhat on the counter-attacking threat of their players tonight against Manchester City.

Downing can supply crosses for Andy Carroll too—should they both start—and Liverpool just need to play to their own strengths in the semifinal second leg to get over the line and qualify for the League Cup final at Wembley.

Micah Richards is probably the most in-form fullback in the entire country at this moment in time, skippering his side too—but his marauding runs forward will leave huge gaps behind him, and it is here that Downing must take advantage.

Anfield in a cup semifinal is a great way to announce an upturn in fortunes for the summer signing.

Here's hoping he takes his chance in a big way.

Thanks for reading. Please leave your comments on the key battles below, as well as your predictions for the semifinal second leg at Anfield.

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