These two clubs go into this match off the back of a testing week. Liverpool have seemingly careered from one PR disaster to another that has dented the club's normally pristine reputation. From the handling of the Luis Suarez case, to a fan being arrested for alleged racism, to winger Stewart Downing also being detained by police for an alleged attack on a former partner, it has been an unsavoury start to 2012 for the Reds.

But at least they are in the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup, one thing Manchester City cannot say after their contentious derby defeat to Manchester United. City have now gone out of two competitions at the first hurdle this season, a statistic that will not sit well with manager Roberto Mancini.

It was their first defeat at home for 31 matches and losing their grip on the FA Cup to their biggest rivals made it an even tougher pill to swallow.

This match comes only eight days after City despatched Liverpool 3-0 in a Premier League clash, and they have lost to the Reds just once in their last seven encounters. Liverpool may have scored five at Anfield on Friday against Oldham, but goals have been at a premium this season. They have managed 14 in 10 league games at home so far and just 24 in total - compared to a whopping 56 scored by City. In the absence of Suarez, it is time for the £35m man, Andy Carroll, to step up and justify his enormous price tag.

The League Cup is a competition Dalglish has fond memories of as he lifted the trophy four times as a player at Wembley, but it has so far eluded him as a manager. Since Wembley reopened in 2007, Liverpool are yet to play a match at a ground that became almost a second home during Dalglish's first spell at the club. It's a run they are desperate to put to an end with a two-legged victory over City, especially as a Championship club awaits the winner in the final.

Head-to-head




• This is the 164th meeting between the two clubs. Liverpool have won 80 times, Manchester City 42 and there have been 41 draws.



• They have met three times before in the League Cup. City beat Liverpool 3-2 in the third round on their way to winning the cup in 1970. They lost 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final of the 1980-81 season, with eventual winners Liverpool taking the first leg 1-0 at Maine Road. And in the 1995-96 season, Liverpool hammered City 4-0 in the third round.



• Three out of the last four games between the sides have ended 3-0 to the home side.
  
  
  Liverpool
  
  
• Liverpool are the most successful club in League Cup history, having won it seven times (81, 82, 83, 84, 95, 01, 03) and finishing runners-up three times (78, 87, 05).



• This is their eighth away game in nine League Cup matches.



• The 2-0 away defeat to Chelsea in the 2007 quarter-finals is the only time they have failed to score in 42 League Cup outings.



• They are participating in their 14th semi-final. Of the previous 13, 10 were won, including the last three.



Man City


• Manchester City have won the League Cup twice, in 1969-70 (beat WBA 2-1) and 1975-76 (beat Newcastle 2-1), and lost in the final to Wolves in 1973-74.



• They have qualified for the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons, and the seventh time in their history - they have won three and lost three of the previous six.



• They have scored in their last 11 League Cup matches, and failed to score in only one of the last 21 - a 2-0 home defeat to Spurs in the quarter-finals in December 2007.



• City are looking for a sixth successive home win in the League Cup.