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.

The 24-year-old is set to undergo a medical ahead of his €20m move from AC Milan on Friday and the Reds boss insists he has no apprehensions over the striker’s behaviour

Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool are prepared to take “a risk” by signing Mario Balotelli.

The 24-year-old has travelled to England on Friday to undergo a medical ahead of a €20 million move from AC Milan.

Rodgers refused to confirm Liverpool’s approach for the Italy international on Friday but admitted the club are willing to gamble on the former Manchester City striker.

“I can categorically tell you I can’t speak about it before the player has signed,” said the Liverpool manager.

“We always said we were working for another striker. If we can do a deal for anyone we will.

“Sometimes you have to take a risk with people, but a lot of the time if you take that risk you get a reward for it.

“It’s not easy finding new players as there’s a small pool of players we could actually buy. But a lot of good work is going on.”

Rodgers insists he has no apprehensions about Balotelli’s behaviour and says the forward will be given the chance to develop at Anfield.

“We have an intensive code of conduct for any member of staff here. That covers everyone, not one particular individual,” said Rodgers.

“Nothing will ever shake our fantastic environment. We’ve got a learning environment for players, lots of players improving.

“No player would come into here if I felt it couldn’t work. If I can help the person, then it’s something I will look at too.

“People who know me well will tell you I look to try and develop the player and the person. Thankfully we have that culture here.

“I’ve shown before that as long as players care and want to learn, we can give them the opportunity to develop.”

The 24-year-old striker looks set to leave the Italian club and reports have emerged that he is close to a €20m move to Liverpool

Mario Balotelli has bid farewell to his AC Milan team-mates ahead of his proposed move to Liverpool, the Serie A giants have revealed.

Rumours that Liverpool are keen to bring the controversial former Manchester City striker back to the Premier League gathered pace on Thursday, with reports suggesting a €20 million deal has been agreed with Milan.

Italy star Balotelli trained with Italian side on Thursday, with Sky Sports Italia quoting him as telling the club’s official TV station that it would be his final session with the San Siro outfit.

And Milan appeared to confirm the 24-year-old is heading for the exit door by posting a short message on their website announcing he has said his goodbyes.

“Mario Balotelli left Milanello’s sporting centre at 13:30 (local time) after saying goodbye to his team-mates,” read the statement.

“Before leaving the premises, the striker has said goodbye to members of Milan’s press office.”

Ex-Inter man Balotelli returned to Serie A in January 2013, and has scored 26 goals in 43 league appearances for Milan.

However, speculation has grown that Milan were open to selling him mounted when they failed to qualify for the Champions League by finishing a disappointing eighth last season. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, are on the look out for a new striker following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona last month.

Should Balotelli complete a switch to Anfield this week, his Liverpool debut could come in their trip to his former club City on Monday.