The ‘Martin O’Neill factor’ was in full force when Sunderland inflicted only a second defeat in the Premier League on Roberto Mancini’s men on New Year’s Day but normal service was resumed with a convincing 3-0 defeat over Wednesday’s opponents only last week.

Then the wheels came off in spectacular style against local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, although Mancini took heart from a gutsy second-half performance which, in turn, exposed the frailties which could yet haunt Sir Alex Ferguson when the biggest prize on the domestic stage is handed out in May.

Now, the experienced Italian must galvanise his troops for the Carling Cup and the visit of Kenny Dalglish’s top-four hopefuls.

The demanding nature of two-legged ties means it could pay for punters to err on the side of caution in Manchester on Wednesday, while the visitors do not have to rush this fixture and team news is also pivotal.

Conversely, punters may argue any price just shy of evens about the Premier League leaders on home soil (City 20/21 draw 12/5 Liverpool 16/5 – first leg 90 minutes betting) is appealing.

Mancini could be without six senior professionals, including Kolo and Yaya Toure, who are on African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast, for the visit of the Merseysiders.

Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli are both major doubts, along with star midfielder David Silva, who was replaced at half-time in the derby on Sunday.

Goals have become a problem for Liverpool on the road and they failed to find the net against City last week and Wigan before, all of which lends itself to a low goals expectation in the first leg.

Craig Bellamy, who starred for Liverpool in the FA Cup win against Oldham last Friday, could make an appearance against his old club and the 32-year-old can backed at 9/4 (Anytime Goalscorer) or, for the value hawks, an even bigger 8/1 (Last Goalscorer), should he come off the bench.

The fiery Welshman, who left City in August on a free transfer and has scored six goals in eight starts and 10 substitute appearances so far this season, thought Liverpool were better than the scoreline suggested last week and is convinced they have more than a puncher’s chance.

“This is why you play for Liverpool and this is what it brings,” he said.

“It’s a two-legged match and we have to make sure we are still in the tie. We have the second leg at Anfield and this club knows all about two-legged games. If we can get it back to Anfield still very much in the tie we will have a great chance of getting to Wembley.”

City will find out ahead of the game whether their appeal over Vincent Kompany’s red card given against United in their FA Cup third-round clash on Sunday is successful.

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