The two cities are currently on very different trajectories - with City flying high after their 3-0 win over the Reds at the City of Manchester Stadium on Monday night.

Carlos Tevez scored a brace and will hope to take his goalscoring form to Sunderland on Sunday.

Liverpool seem to have thudded back to earth after their woeful defeat at the hands of City. The positive buzz surrounding the arrival of Joe Cole, as well as news that Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were staying, seems to have dissipated.

Manager Roy Hodgson already finds himself in the midst of an almighty scrap in the race for that fourth place.

The Reds host West Brom and Hodgson expects to know if midfielder Javier Mascherano will be leaving Anfield before that game.

"Sunday is very much a question because I think by then I should know one way or another whether he is going to play for Liverpool this season or Barcelona," Hodgson said.

"I am seriously hoping that in the next couple of days it will be sorted out one way or another although I have no idea which way that will be.

"I wouldn't want to say he has played his last game for Liverpool," he added.

Bolton and Birmingham also play on Sunday with both teams bidding to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea after winning four points from their first two games.