Premier League preview: Liverpool v Manchester City

Liverpool will be out to avenge their woeful start to the English Premier League season at home to champions Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss away to West Bromwich Albion in their opening game of the season, while City grabbed a 3-2 win at home to newly promoted Southampton.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers rested several big names for Thursday’s Europa League playoff first-leg win over Hearts, with Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson missing the trip to Edinburgh.

The quartet are expected to return for the City showdown as the Reds aim to bounce back from the worst start in their Premier League history.

Andy Carroll and Joe Cole, however, are likely absentees for Liverpool with hamstring complaints, while the suspended Daniel Agger will watch from the sidelines.

City will be without last season’s top scorer Sergio Aguero, who is facing a month on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Italy international Mario Balotelli is expected to replace the Argentinean and partner Carlos Tevez up front as City search for their first win at Anfield since May 2003.

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam said the 1-0 win at Hearts was a perfectly timed boost for the Reds.

“We bounced back from losing the game at the weekend, which everyone was disappointed with,” Adam said.

“The champions are coming to Anfield but they know they will be in as hard a game against us, as we know that we are going to have against them.”