The battle of the challengers gets underway on Monday night, following their exertions in the Europa League. Both teams have aspirations to be playing at a higher level and, despite the opposing financial fortunes of the clubs, have claims to be pushing for Premier League title.

After a drab 0-0 start to the season against Tottenham, Man City will be under pressure to show that their crazy spending has a purpose. Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jerome Boateng, Aleksandar Kolarov, Mario Balotelli and now James Milner have arrived at Eastlands, but they will have to hit the ground running if manager Roberto Mancini is to stay in the job until Christmas. One of the favourites to get his P45 if City are not occupying one of the top spots in the league, Mancini faces an incredibly tough task to gel his collection of individuals into a team.

The team ethic at Liverpool is on the up after a season of misery at Anfield. Roy Hodgson has breathed some new life into the side and there are signs that the flair of Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could spark the club into life. However, against City, Cole is suspended after his red card against Arsenal and Torres is still on his way towards full fitness after his World Cup exploits.

New signings Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen may feature and Hodgson has an increasingly impressive squad to call upon if need be, but the pressure is on the club to make an impression early into the season to banish some of the demons of Rafa Benitez's tenure. Even at this stage of the campaign, defeat to a direct competitor could hurt their chances of making it to the Champions League further down the line.

ESPN

King Kong vs Mickey Mouse

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@topic i want liverpool to win  but again a draw will be nice for my FPL

Will watch my Yaya today

King Kong's yet to find momentum, so it's still possible for Mickey Mouse to pull some tricks.
Depends on how smart Mickey can be.

I dey fear Citeh oooh
Even Sir alex is seated here. . . worried!
1-0 already

Tevez makes it 2-0   

Ceeeelebrate good times come on. . . te ren ren ren ten ren ren ren woo hoo!!! 

I don't think tevez touched it. that should have gone to RichaRDS IMO

Tevez for my FPL points. The collections of stars at CITEY can make other teams shiver.

PENALITY, PENALITY, PENALITY, PENALITY!!

Tevez to take score it

GOAL!!

3-0. It is a wrap!!

My captain, my tevez. This is a disgrace to the scousser

d team is super complete,frm goalie 2 striker.

What a shameful display by Liverpool

The scousers should've hired the spuds or Stoke city to play the match for them

rasputinn:

What a shameful display by Liverpool

Am really sad !