Liverpool Vs MCFC - The Players' Lounge Sunday 22nd Feb K.O. 7.00pm

After jetting back into Manchester from Copenhagen early on Friday morning, Mark Hughes takes his side to the pitiful Liverpool slums to tackle Rafa Benitez's high-flying Bin Dippers.

The Merseysiders will be without key midfielders Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, although Fernando Torres is a certainty to start. And score. Meanwhile, City will welcome back Richard Dunne from suspension and Nigel De Jong is likely to feature again, having missed out in Denmark due to being cup-tied.

Shaun Wright-Phillips will be missing due to a 3-match ban for his indiscretion against the delightful and talented Rory Delap in the Stoke game a few weeks back. (On a side note, it will be interesting to see if Tranaldo receieves similar punishment from the FA following his identical indiscretion against Blackburn last night. I shan't be holding my breath though).

Kick-off is 7pm (Dubai time) for this one and mcfcUAE will be meeting as usual at The Players' Lounge in Bur Dubai's Country Club Hotel from 6pm. Newcastle entertain Everton in the day's late fixture. If you can't make this one, be sure to make a note in your diary for Thursday night's second-leg UEFA Cup game against FC Copenhagen. Details to follow.

Cheers

Dave.