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While there is understandably plenty of focus on one former Manchester City player in the build-up to this game, it is another former Blue who could prove their tormentor tonight.

Daniel Sturridge is the leading Premier League scorer in 2014 with 14 goals and he got himself off the mark for this season in Liverpool's 2-1 win against Southampton in their opening game.

Will he continue to flourish without Luis Suarez alongside him? Only time will tell.

The biggest question mark regarding Liverpool going into this season is whether they can mount as strong a challenge for the title as last season without Luis Suarez.

Nine players have been brought in over the summer, with the man most likely to be tasked with filling Suarez boots being Mario Balotelli.

The Italy international, who scored 30 goals in 54 games for AC Milan after joining them from City in 2013, is with the Liverpool squad for tonight's game and will be in the dressing room before kick-off, as well as travelling with the squad afterwards.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given:, external Good luck Mario Balotelli great to see you back in the premier league . Watch out for some fireworks :-).

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Mario Balotelli's antics on and off the pitch are well documented, but Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident he can get the best out of the unpredictable striker.

"I believe we have the infrastructure, culture and environment to get the best out of him and help him achieve his true potential," he told Liverpool's website., external "We are a strong group here, committed to hard work and he will benefit from being around it.

"He is a world-class talent and someone who, for such a young age, has vast experience of playing at the very highest level. He has scored goals in the Premier League, in Italy, in the Champions League and for his country at international level."

Delighted with the return of Mario Balotelli to the Premier League? Is he the right man to replace Luis Suarez, and can Brendan Rodgers get the best out of him?

As ever, these live text commentaries are mightily enhanced by your musings, so let us know your thoughts on Liverpool's signing of Balotelli, as well as tonight's game. Will City and Liverpool be challenging for the title once again?

Tweet us via #bbcfootball,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) or pop along to our BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+, external pages to have your say.

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The only way this match could have got any tastier, was if former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli had been signed by Liverpool in time to face his former side.

In the last hour, the Italy international completed his return to England's north west, leaving AC Milan for the Reds in a £16m deal.

Oh Mario. It is good to have you back in the Premier League. Snood and giant glove hat sellers rejoice.

Manchester City versus Liverpool. Premier League champions versus runners-up.

With City unbeaten in seven home games and Liverpool having not lost an away game all year, there is little doubt this is all set-up to be a real humdinger of a contest.

It may only be the second game of the season, but if the title battle proves to be anywhere near as close as last season, then three points tonight could well have a big say on matters at the business end of the season.

There was Manchester City's four-goal blitz of fierce rivals and defending champions Manchester United...

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....Raheem Sterling's disallowed goal against Manchester City...

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...and, of course, Steven Gerrard's slip....

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Big moments, big games. Tonight, we have the first real heavyweight clash of the 2014-15 campaign.

Who will deliver the first, maybe even crucial, blow in this season's title fight?