Manchester City Vs. Liverpool, 2012 Carling Cup Semifinals: Both Teams Missing Key Players

Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini looks on prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. Manchester City play Liverpool in the Carling Cup on January 11, 2012. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Manchester City and Liverpool are facing a variety of injuries, suspensions and international call-ups that has put a damper on their Carling Cup match

The names Manchester City and Liverpool jump off the page as Carling Cup semifinalists, and one's first reaction to seeing them on the schedule is that this could be a memorable glamour tie. Due to injuries, suspensions and international call-ups, it is hardly a that at the moment. Sure, it will still be a very watchable tie and these teams are still better than mid-table sides and relegation fodder, but a lot of the glamour is gone.

Luis Suarez is still suspended for Liverpool, while Vincent Kompany recently picked up a suspension for City. Lucas Leiva is out with a long-term injury, while David Silva is doubtful for the Citizens and Yaya Toure is away on international duty. Those five players are almost certainly the five best players between these two teams, and they will not play in the first leg of this tie.

There is some good news for both teams, however. Gareth Barry is back from suspension and will play for City. Steven Gerrard went 90 minutes in the FA Cup match against Oldham and appears to be back to full fitness. It's not all doom and gloom in the Northeast, but this could have been a lot more fun.