Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Gomez preview Liverpool Carabao Cup tie

Manchester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Gomez have previewed Thursday’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side return to action this week, with the Sky Blues hosting Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the Fourth Round of the Carabao Cup.

City are bidding to win the League Cup for a ninth time, but will have to beat the current holders on Thursday to have any chance of lifting the trophy this season.

The Blues overcame Chelsea in the previous round, courtesy of quickfire second-half goals from Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez.

City suffered defeat to Liverpool in the league in October and with a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Gomez have previewed Thursday’s clash.

“Liverpool have many great players, everyone knows how strong they are,” said Sergio Gomez.

“Playing against a team of this strength is a great thing about football in England but we’re focused on our game. We know if we win we’re a step closer [in the Carabao Cup].”

Mahrez has won the League Cup on three previous occasions with Manchester City, and as the Algerian bids to win a fourth, he outlined the dangers posed by the Merseyside club.

“It’s going to be tough, like always against Liverpool – a very good side, but a good game to play in our first one back. We have to be ready to play so we can show our best. Hopefully we can play a good game and progress to the next round [of the Carabao Cup].

“We have won this competition three times since I signed for Man City and it is always a great feeling to win at Wembley. In two of those seasons we also won the Premier League.

“We were happy to beat Chelsea in the last round and we would like to continue as long as we can.

“It’s an important trophy to play for and we want to do well in every game and in every competition, we are in.”