Manchester press verdict on Capital One Cup final

David McDonnell, Manchester football correspondent, Daily Mirror

What big decisions does Manuel Pellegrini have to make before the game?

Arriving back in Manchester from Kiev at 4.30am on Thursday, following City's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev, was certainly not ideal preparation for Pellegrini and his players, for whom the build-up to Sunday is all about rest and recovery. With another important game against Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday, I would expect Pellegrini to tweak his side, possibly switching the full-backs, but he can't make too many changes because of the injuries he has.

Do you think the result at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season will affect City psychologically?

City will certainly be left in no doubt of the damage Liverpool can inflict on them if players like Coutinho and Firmino are given time and space to create problems. City made some basic errors early on in the game at the Etihad, and couldn't live with Liverpool's tempo and guile, particularly in and around the box. City were missing skipper Vincent Kompany that day, while their second best central defender, Nicolas Otamendi, was left on the bench. I'd expect those two to start at Wembley on Sunday, so City will immediately be stronger at the back.   

Who do you feel is City's key man on Sunday?

City have so many match-winners, the likes of Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Raheem Sterling, it's difficult to pick out one. But their key man remains Aguero, who is capable of turning a game with a burst of pace and a moment of brilliance. If Liverpool are to win on Sunday, they will have to shackle him. You never know these days which Yaya Toure will turn up, while Sterling was anonymous in the 4-1 defeat earlier in the season against his old club, and it's difficult to know how he will fare again when facing them on Sunday, whether he will feel inhibited or rise to the occasion. 

Which Liverpool player(s) do you think City will most fear?

The two I mentioned earlier, Coutinho and Firmino, are certainly players City must look to handle, given their creative quality and goalscoring threat. Daniel Sturridge, when fit, is a formidable striker and someone City fans know all about, given his time with them. Skipper Jordan Henderson is another player who carries a goal threat and has a huge overall influence over Liverpool when he is fit and can produce his best, so City won't find it easy. 

And... how do you see the game going?

I mentioned match-winners earlier and I just think City have more in their ranks than Liverpool, allied to the return of Kompany, whose influence on the whole team is huge. But Manuel Pellegrini's decision to pick Willy Caballero ahead of Joe Hart should give Liverpool confidence, given how poor the City No.2 was in their 5-1 FA Cup defeat at Chelsea. If Liverpool can play the high-pressing, high-tempo game Jürgen Klopp demands of them, you may see City wilt. It's a tough one to call, but I give City the edge, purely because of the quality throughout their team. But their FA Cup final defeat to Wigan in 2013 showed anything can happen and nothing can be taken for granted. 

Stuart Brennan, Manchester City reporter, Manchester Evening News

What big decisions does Manuel Pellegrini have to make before the game?

With a lot of attacking players injured, there are no big team selection issues. Perhaps the biggest is whether to play Fernando and have extra midfield security, or go 4-4-2 and seek to outscore Liverpool. Pellegrini's natural bent is to do the latter.

Do you think the result at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season will affect City psychologically?

I doubt it. They were definitely embarrassed by their performance that day, and there will be a determination to put that right. These are two very unpredictable teams.

Who do you feel is City's key man on Sunday?

It is always Aguero. If he fires, and others around him do reasonably well, he is close to unplayable.

Which Liverpool player(s) do you think City will most fear?

Some of the journalists on the trip to Kiev were talking about which Liverpool players City would be interested in, and Coutinho came top of the poll. Sturridge is also a big handful - and of course James Milner is sure to have a worldy!

And... how do you see the game going?

I feel that the league game at Anfield three days later is a bigger game for City. I think Liverpool need the win, and the trophy, more, so I can see the silverware heading to Merseyside.

Mark Ogden, chief football correspondent, The Independent

What big decisions does Manuel Pellegrini have to make before the game?

Aside from last Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at Chelsea, when Manuel Pellegrini handed senior debuts to five of the club’s emerging teenagers, the City manager rarely goes with anything but his strongest team, so the selection at Wembley will reflect that. The loss of Kevin De Bruyne is a major blow for City, but will likely open the door for Raheem Sterling to face his former club.

With David Silva likely to play on the left, Pellegrini will have to choose between Sterling and Jesus Navas on the right. Another key decision centres around Yaya Toure. Does he play in a holding role alongside Fernandinho or further forward, where he is more effective? 

Do you think the result at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season will affect City psychologically?

It is unlikely to be a factor for City, who have the experience to overcome the negative effects of that defeat. But for Liverpool, it will provide a positive motivation and offer proof that they can tear City apart if they get their gameplan right.

Who do you feel is City's key man on Sunday?

City are a different animal with a fit Vincent Kompany leading their team from centre-half. The Belgian has not been fully fit since early this season, but he is likely to play at Wembley. If he plays well, then City will be the favourites to win.

Which Liverpool player(s) do you think City will most fear?

City struggle against pace and direct running, so Jordon Ibe and Philippe Coutinho could be key players this weekend. If Coutinho can find the gaps in the City defence, then Liverpool will have a great chance. And another player City will fear, if he plays, is Christian Benteke. The Belgian’s height and physical strength will hurt City if Kompany is not fit or on his game.

And... how do you see the game going?

Liverpool need to start quickly and put City under pressure. They need to test their desire to engage in a high-intensity battle for 90 minutes. Liverpool will be fresher and I expect Jürgen Klopp’s team to shade it, 2-1.