The Chilean always felt his team were the best in the division even after they were beaten at Anfield and put the destination of the trophy in Brendan Rodgers’ side’s hands

Liverpool would not have deserved to win the Premier League title last season ahead of Manchester City, claims Manuel Pellegrini.

Brendan Rodgers’ side looked set to complete a stunning march to the title after beating City 3-2 on April 13.

That win put Liverpool’s fate in their own hands, despite City having two games in hand, but a fortnight later their hopes were dashed by a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea.

Steven Gerrard’s slip allowed Demba Ba to open the scoring as Jose Mourinho’s side frustrated Liverpool for large parts of that Anfield clash.

That allowed City to steal in, winning their last five games to move ahead and seal a second title in three years, which Pellegrini believes was the right outcome.

Speaking ahead of City’s clash with Liverpool on Monday, he said: “Of course, Gerrard was unlucky in that game, but Liverpool were not unlucky to miss out. 

“When they beat us 3-2 at Anfield and people said they would go on to win the league, I thought we were very unlucky to lose. 

“Liverpool might have been unlucky against Chelsea but they were lucky to win against us.

“Though we lost at Anfield we never felt the other team was better than us, or deserved to win the title. 

“We felt we should have won the game and it just made us more determined to win the rest.”

Manchester City have once again spent lavishly on their squad in pre-season, signing Eliaquim Mangala, Fernando and Willy Caballero among others.

But Pellegrini insists his achievements are not lessened by the cash available to spend.

“People think it’s just about money but it’s not,” he added. “You need a strong squad if you are going to challenge for the title, and that costs money, but other teams have spent more than us and still not won. 

“You still have to sign the right players, you still have to perform as a team.

“We have strengthened our squad a little over the summer and I am happy with it.”

The Liverpool midfielder believes the striker, who has become Louis van Gaal’s skipper at Manchester United, is vocal enough to lead the Three Lions

Steven Gerrard has called for Wayne Rooney to be chosen to replace him as captain of England’s national team.

Gerrard stepped down as captain and retired from international football after the Three Lions’ group-stage elimination at the World Cup.

The Liverpool skipper led England in their last three major tournaments, but is confident Rooney is the best choice to replace him.

Since making his debut as a 17-year-old in February 2003, Rooney has scored 40 goals in 95 games for his country, and has twice before been named captain for friendly games.

Louis van Gaal saw fit to name Rooney as his captain at Manchester United after taking over recently, and Gerrard has now called on Roy Hodgson to follow suit and give the striker the national armband.

He wrote in his Mail on Sunday column: “As far as I am concerned, there is no more worthy candidate to take over.

“Roy has tremendous faith in Wayne. When the Manchester United striker was under pressure in the summer, when there was increased speculation about his place in the England team, his manager stuck by him and played him in the games that mattered. It was a big show of respect.

“So why do I think Wayne is the No. 1 choice? For starters, he is a natural leader. Aside from being a top player, one who commands respect within the group, Wayne is passionate about representing his country and won’t be fazed by the responsibility.

“Before a game, he is one of the most vocal players in the dressing room. He wouldn’t be afraid of speaking up and talking to someone one-to-one, telling them what is expected.

“I also believe it is important for an England captain to lead his club. Everything that compelled Louis van Gaal to make Wayne United captain after working with him for six weeks are the qualities that Roy has seen at every get-together for the past two years.”

Only three players have scored more England goals than Rooney, who sits nine off Bobby Charlton’s record haul of 49.

Gerrard hopes added responsibility will bring the best out of Rooney – who scored his first goal at a World Cup finals in his 10th game against Uruguay in Brazil.

“I couldn’t wait to walk into the dressing room after Roy gave me the news, and it will be the same for Wayne,” Gerrard added. 

“He will be desperate to get to Wembley for the Norway friendly [on September 3] and the added responsibility could be the catalyst to go on and break Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 goals.

“Everything is there for him now. He is set to be captain and the next two tournaments, in France and Russia, are the most important he’ll play in — they can define his legacy.”

The two sides were the biggest challengers for the Premier League title last season and face each other in the second game of the season

Liverpool and Manchester City are looking to get one over each other on Monday as the title challengers meet in the second week of the campaign.

Both teams won their opening day fixtures, with Liverpool beating Southampton 2-1 at Anfield and City winning 2-0 against Newcastle United.

The Reds were hopeful of signing former Blues striker Mario Balotelli ahead of the clash as they look to replace Luis Suarez at the pinnacle of the attack. However, the Italian’s imminent €20 million transfer has not been completed yet.

Brendan Rodgers will not be too disheartened, though, as he will see Daniel Sturridge lead the attack, being supported by Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho against the Premier League champions.

England duo Sterling and Sturridge were both on target in the win over the Saints and manager Rodgers – who will be without Adam Lallana, Jon Flanagan and Daniel Agger (all knee) – is hopeful of an open contest that will allow such talents to shine.

“If you look at both sets of players, there’s lots of invention and creativity – both teams will be creative and want to score goals,” he told reporters.

“We know we need to be compact and solid when we haven’t got the ball, we need to be aggressive and press well. That’s the nature of our game.

“We know we have the freedom, movement and pace that can hurt teams. We understand it’s early on, but it’ll be a good game for sure. It’s been a great start to the league campaign.”

The last time the teams met competitively, Liverpool secured a gripping 3-2 victory on Merseyside that looked to have tipped the balance of last season’s title battle in their favour. 

But City held their nerve, as Rodgers’ men dropped points against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, to win a second Premier League crown in three seasons by two points.

Both sides flexed their muscles in a pre-season contest in New York, when Liverpool twice came from behind to win on penalties.

By that time, Luis Suarez had completed his €88m move to Barcelona – a loss City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes will be keenly felt by a Liverpool squad he still rates very highly.

“I watched Liverpool’s game [against Southampton] and we played against them in the United States,” he said. “We know what they are doing.

“It’s difficult to say after one game but Liverpool will always miss Suarez, he was a very important player. They have brought a lot of important new players and continue being a very strong squad also.”

City remain without striker Alvaro Negredo due to a broken foot, but Pellegrini has increased options elsewhere as his returning World Cup stars build their fitness.

Pablo Zabaleta or Bacary Sagna are likely to displace Gael Clichy, who featured at right-back in their opening 2-0 win at Newcastle United

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to complete the scoring at St James’ Park and will push Stevan Jovetic for the starting berth alongside Edin Dzeko in attack. New signing Eliaquim Mangala is not yet fit to play.