THIS IS AS TENSE AS IT GETS

When you reach this stage of the competition, the tension that surrounds games doesn’t compare to anything else you will have experienced all season. It usually means things are tight and cagey and the odd goal settles it. But the more I have thought about this question, the more I have to say it is going to be a proper shootout. The quality both sides have going forward absolutely guarantees entertainment and it is going to be a question of which defence handles the occasion best. If Liverpool can limit the goals City score at Anfield, they will have a real chance in the second leg at the etihad Stadium next week.

THIS WILL BE A BIG GAME FOR...

LIVERPOOL’S DEFENCE. I don’t want to single one man out, I’d prefer to say it’s a big task for the whole back five. They’ve got to be on their game and it will be fascinating to see how Loris Karius copes in goal. he’s got to be at his best over the two legs. FIRST-LEG PREDICTION LIVERPOOL 2-1 MAN CITY