Manchester City vs Liverpool team news: Sergio Aguero up front for home side but Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke on the bench

Roberto Firmino starts up front for the Reds

Sergio Aguero has been deemed fit enough to start up front for Manchester City against Liverpool.

The Argentina striker last played on 5 October when he scored five goals for City in the demolition of Newcastle United.

Aguero is one of four changes made by City boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has also had to change both of his first choice centre-backs - Martin Demichelis comes in for club captain Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala for Nicolas Otamendi, who is on the bench.

Jesus Navas replaces Fernandinho and Wilfried Bony is the man to make way for Aguero. Raheem Sterling starts against his former side.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has had to make three changes while Daniel Sturridge is back but only fit enough for the bench.

Roberto Firmino will come in for Christian Benteke, who also drops to the bench, while James Milner returns for Jordon Ibe and Dejan Lovren comes in for Mamadou Sakho in central defence.

Manchester City started the day top of the table but were overtaken by rivals Manchester United after a late win for Louis van Gaal's team at Watford. City will again go top if they win.

Pellegrini's have won three and drawn two of their last five, but were surprisingly held by bottom of the table Aston Villa last time out. City had the chances to win but couldn't find the net in a 0-0 draw at Villa Park.

For the Reds new manager Jurgen Klopp has won three, drawn three and lost just one of his first seven games in charge in all competitions, but Crystal Palace won at Anfield before the international break.

LINE-UPS:

Manchester City: Hart, Sagna, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernando, Toure, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero

Subs: Caballero, Clichy, Otamendi, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Delph, Iheanacho

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino

Subs: Bogdan, Toure, Randall, Allen, Ibe, Sturridge, Benteke