Mancini hints at changes for Liverpool clash

Roberto Mancini has hinted he might ring the changes for Manchester City's trip to Anfield next Monday night.

The Blues boss was "delighted" with City's 5-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday which boosted his team back into third place in the Premier League.

But he will have Pablo Zabaleta available again, and suggested that Gareth Barry, James Milner and Edin Dzeko are all in line for a possible recall as he tries to keep his players fresh.

The game is a big one, but comes just five days before the FA Cup semi-final clash with United.

Mancini told M.E.N. Sport that the only reason he dropped Barry to the bench on Sunday was because the midfielder has played a lot of football recently and had a full 90 minutes when he captained England against Ghana in the friendly international just four days earlier.

The same went for Milner, while Dzeko had played 90 minutes for Bosnia-Herzegovina eight days earlier.

"It's always difficult to leave a player out, like Gareth, James and Dzeko, but these players all played for the international team," he said. "It was important that they rest because we play next Monday."

Zabaleta returned to training on Monday despite his flight only arriving in Manchester in the morning.

Now it is a straight fight between him and Dedryck Boyata for the right back spot against Liverpool, after the 20-year-old Belgian impressed against Sunderland.

Said Mancini: "I trust in Dedryck because he is a good player, but like all the younger players he needs to improve.

"Pablo is back and will work this week so he will be available for Liverpool."

Source: Manchester Evening News

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.