Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, speaking to TNT Sports.

On whether Salah can get back to his best for his final season at Liverpool: “I would love that to happen. It’s a vital part of the season.

“But it’s not about the individual, the team has to perform so the individual can shine. He worked very hard to get back from injury to be ready for this one.”

On balancing his team selection over the next few days: “We go game by game. It’s a good problem to have, to still be involved in so many competitions at this stage of the season.”

On Alexander Isak: “Today was too early for him. We hope he could be available for Wednesday [against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League].”

Curtis Jones says the Liverpool squad want to win a trophy for Mohamed Salah before the Egyptian leaves Anfield at the end of the season.

“100 per cent, and Mo would want that as well,” Jones said. “He knows we have got his back in the same way he has always had ours.

“Now we are in the final stages of the season it would be nice to finish on a high. We want to give our best for the fans and the team and especially now for Mo.”

The start of a huge few days for Arne Slot and Liverpool. The pressure on Manchester City to win today may have been reduced by their Carabao Cup final victory. They already have a trophy this season whereas this is Liverpool's last chance, realistically.

The FA Cup could afford a fond farewell to a few on either side - maybe Pep Guardiola, or Mohamed Salah, now he has confirmed his exit.

Guardiola has picked a very strong side; stronger, arguably, than the one that beat Arsenal at Wembley, with Marc Guehi in for Nathan Ake. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Alexander Isak is not fit enough to return for Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports ahead of Man City v Liverpool

On carrying on City’s form from the Carabao Cup final: “We’re ready to go. It always helps [ to win a trophy], to gave a good day. We want to start a new chapter now. We have a chance to reach a semi-final of FA Cup against Liverpool. There’s no need to say anything else.”

On Liverpool: “Always an extraordinary team. The players are there. Top-class manager. The game we played here in the Premier League was very good. The FA Cup will be a tight game, I’m sure of that.”

On James Trafford: “Always since I’ve been a manager I’ve played the No 2 goalkeeper in the cups. James has always performed well when he’s had the opportunity to play.”

On watching from the stands after his latest touchline ban: “I like it. The view is much better.”

It’s interesting to note that Pep Guardiola only makes one change from his Carabao Cup final team, with Marc Guehi unable to start at Wembley because he was cup tied. Clearly, the Manchester City manager believes he’s found a formula - and it’s a very strong side, even with James Trafford starting ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Will it be too much for Liverpool? It’s always very hard to predict how Arne Slot’s side will turn up. Joe Gomez’s battle with Jeremy Doku could be decisive and Curtis Jones has been trusted in midfield ahead of Alexis Mac Allister.

I’m going to go with... Man City 2-1 Liverpool

Liverpool have won their last four FA Cup meetings with Manchester City. Their most recent FA Cup clash came in the semi-finals in 2021-22, with Liverpool winning 3-2 at Wembley after being 3-0 up at half-time.

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Erling Haaland has scored just five goals in his last 21 appearances for club and country - having scored 38 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions before then since the start of the season.

The striker is looking to rediscover his form from the earlier part of the campaign - but faces something of a favourite opponent in Liverpool: Haaland has scored in three home appearances against the Reds in a row.

And for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah is fit to start as he begins his farewell tour in the FA Cup quarter-finals. As expected, Giorgi Mamardashvili is in goal. The two other changes: Joe Gomez starts at right back and Curtis Jones replaces Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. There’s no Alexander Isak in the squad.

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike

Subs:Woodman, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong,Nyoni, Morrison, Ngumoha.

Let’s start with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has named Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki behind Erling Haaland in a very attacking line-up.

James Trafford is in goal and Abdukodir Khusanov partners Marc Guehi in defence. Guehi replacing Nathan Ake is the only change from the Carabao Cup final.

Man City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly,Rodri, Silva, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Donnarumma,Reijnders, Ake, Marmoush, Kovacic, Gonzalez, Ait Nouri, Savio,Foden.