Date: Monday 25th August.Competition: Premier leagueVenue: Etihad StadiumKick-Off: 8pm The first major event match of the Premier League season is already upon us as the Champions face the close runners-up for the title of this season's early pace-setters. Sadly, it might be a little early in the season to see the best of the teams, but it's sure to be a hotly contested affair nonetheless. Liverpool will be hoping to put on an impressive show for brand new signing Mario Balotelli, whose arrival was confirmed today, though unfortunately there will be no hyper-charged return to City for the Italian, as he wasn't signed in time. So far, City look the better side, having beaten Newcastle at a canter, but Liverpool looked a little out of sorts against Southampton. But with Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno expected to play a part, this might be a truer reflection of what to expect from Liverpool this season. Expect Daniel Sturridge to be on fire with Balotelli breathing down his neck for the central attacking slot in Rodgers' team (even if they'll probably share that responsibility equally). Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that the game is not about revenge... https://twitter.com/OfficialLFC/status/503951565817135105 Cue the sound of Everton and Manchester United fans' heads exploding with glee. Team News Alvaro Negredo is out for City until the end of September with a metatarsal injury, while new signing Mangala won't yet be risked. Instead Martin Demichelis will partner Vincent Kompany, and Fernando is again preferred to Fernandinho. After scoring against Newcastle, Pellegrini might have gone with Sergio Aguero in attack, but instead Edin Dzeko continues. Markovic and Moreno were competing to start for Liverpool, and the Spaniard makes his bow, but Adam Lallana is not yet fit enough to start. There was a question mark over Jose Enrique, though he'd likely only have been on the bench anyway. Daniel Agger, Jon Flanagan and Oussama Assaidi remain sidelined. Line-Ups Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis; Fernando, Touré, Nasri, Silva, Joveti; Džeko. Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Coutinho, Sterling; Sturridge.
