10:36AM BST 24 Aug 2012
Roberto Mancini's side began the defence of their
It was far from the 4-0 stroll against Swansea with which City began last season and Mancini is not expecting things to get any easier at Anfield.
"We always play a tough match in the second game," said the Italian, whose side held off Bolton 3-2 in their second outing last term. "Liverpool will be a very strong game."
Liverpool have
"We played a bad game, we were not a team," he said of the Southampton match.
"We were 10 players that tried to score. We showed our character but we didn't play as a team.
"This could be normal in the first game but if we want to win, we have to play as a team."
City will be without last season's top scorer Sergio Aguero, who suffered a
knee injury early in the opening win
In his absence fellow Argentinian Carlos Tévez, rejuvenated after last season's problems, is likely to continue to lead the line.
Midfield talisman Yaya Toure is confident City can cope with the challenges facing them this season.
The Ivory Coast international said: "The Premier league is not easy, it is going to be very tough this year.
"But I have full confidence in my team-mates, we always fight and try to win games."
