Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini

Two clubs with contrasting fortunes face off against each other today at Anfield. Over recent seasons, Liverpool have slumped from being title contenders to a team struggling for a Champions League berth.  Manchester City on the other hand have become one of the powerhouses in club football under Mancini with the help of a huge injection of cash from their Abu Dhabi based owners.

Liverpool come into the game on the back of their worst start in the Premier League having lost 3-0 to West Brom at The Hawthorns while Manchester City came from behind to secure an entertaining win against newly-promoted Southampton.

Brendan Rodgers’ team got back to winning ways after the 0-1 victory against Hearts in the Europa League but there is still a long way to go for The Reds. The possession based approach favoured by Brendan Rodgers will take time to implement as the players get a better understanding of the tactics and their individual roles.

Unfortunately though, the players have little time to settle as Liverpool face one of the toughest starts to the Premier League. It’s a baptism by fire for Brendan Rodgers’ side as they host Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United with an away trip to Sunderland sandwiched in between.  After the loss against former assistant manager Steve Clark’s side, pressure will be high on Liverpool to pick up points at Anfield.

With the win against Southampton, Manchester City have now won their last 7 Premier League games. The Citizens have a settled squad and will be looking to continue to stretch that run against Liverpool. City have not won at Anfield since 2003 and today’s clash looks as good an opportunity as any with Liverpool in a transition phase.

Manchester City played some brilliant fluid football against Southampton and even without last season’s top scorer Sergio Aguero, City boast of one of the most potent attacks in the league. Tevez looks to have found his goal-scoring boots while Balotelli and Dzeko will look to take their chance against Aguero’s absence.