Premier League's top sailors, Manchester City and Liverpool clash for the second time in a week in the FA Cup semifinal. The two played out a hotly contested battle that ended in a 2-2 draw. In this contest, there has to be a winner whether in normal or extra time or even penalties. The winner plays either Chelsea or Crystal Palace in the final.
Both had matters in Champions League to take care of with City escaping a late scare from feisty Atletico and Liverpool facing the same outcome against Benfica but edging them on aggregate. Changes were made in those games keeping this gigantic clash in mind.
MCI vs LIV FA Cup 2021-22 semi final Match Details :
Date: Sunday, 16 April 2022
Time: 15:30 (BST)/ 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
MCI vs LIV FA Cup 2021-22 semi final Match Preview :
Heated altercations on the pitch that led to an outburst in the tunnel post-match, facing Atletico in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Wanda Metropolitano boiled over. Although Man City got their job done amid the chaos and merciless tackles, the second half left a bit of concern for Guardiola. The positive thing was Atletico's plan to negatively impact the English side with their mental game didn't work out and Ederson thawed their late attacks to make it through. The fixture calendar doesn't relax as City now have to move to another knockout competition to face their title rivals this season. An opposition that denied them the win last weekend and a four-point lead on top of the league table. The Spaniard's fear is injuries to his key starters can derail the train. City does bring a ten-game run in all competitions to this match and wishes to win the Cup at the end they last won in the 2018/19 season. They are also in a hunt for a historical treble this season.
Liverpool dropped points simultaneously yet managed to stay unbeaten in the last 21 of 22 games. They lost only once in that period. Klopp's concern will be his team conceding two more goals late in the matc against Benfica after sailing for much of the game 3-1 in midweek at Anfield. Liverpool refused to drop their high line even in the time of a comfortable lead on aggregate and is unlikely to do so at Wembley. Man City played a high intense game in the league faceoff with their pace of passing evading Liverpool press and putting their high line at risk several times. It is unlikely this game will be played at a same considering the amount of stake in it. The Reds have never been at semifinals of the EFL cup, FA Cup and the Champions League before. With the EFL Cup secured and the Premier League title chase going down to the wire, they are in hunt for a momentous quadruple. A victory here will give them the edge in confidence to win all of them.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Man City: DDWWW
Liverpool: DDWWW
MCI vs LIV FA Cup 2021-22 semi final Team News :
Jurgen Klopp said Diogo Jota is the only doubt for the game in the weekend after sustaining a knock against Benfica. There was concern about Mohammed Salah's fitness but he is available for selection.
Pep Guardiola said Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are major doubts for the game. Both will be accessed on Saturday to know if they are available. Walker twisted his ankle against Atletico while the Belgian was taken off with an injury concern. Guardiola confirms De Bruyne had stitches on his calf but it is not a muscular injury. Ruben Dias is wishing to be in the lineup after training with the group.
MCI vs LIV FA Cup 2021-22 semi final Expected Lineups :
Man City: Ederson; Joao Cancelo, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ikay Gundogan, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Jack Grealish
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz
MCI vs LIV FA Cup 2021-22 semi final Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Alisson (8.5)
DEF: Alexander-Arnold (9.5), Van Dijk (9), Laporte (8.5), Robertson (9)
MID: Thiago (8.5), Rodri (8.5), Gundogan (9)
FW: Salah (10.5), Sterling (9.5), Mane (9.5)
