Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool are set for a test of their title credentials when they travel to Manchester City for Sunday’s Premiership clash at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Reds have hardly been consistently convincing in their league games so far, but they have managed to eke out results and as such are joint-top of the table only behind on goal-difference to Chelsea.

However, in their last two games, Liverpool have scored emphatic victories – at Everton last weekend and in mid-week Champions League group stages home game against PSV Eindhoven, and will come to the Eastlands club in a confident frame of mind.

On the other hand, Mark Hughes’ side have the excitingly skilful Robinho and Elano ready to sizzle against the Reds, following their mid-week UEFA Cup victory over AC Omonia and with the fact that their last home game saw 6-0 carnage of FA Cup holders Portsmouth, City will be eager to pit their mettle against the Merseysiders.

Captain Richard Dunne is a doubt for City, who are eighth in the league table, with a hamstring problem that saw the Republic of Ireland central defender miss Thursday night’s win over AC Omonia. However, winger Martin Petrov is in contention to regain his place in the starting XI.

The Reds have a fit squad going into City game, and Benitez is likely to bring in Javier Mascherano in the first XI after the Argentina midfielder was kept on the bench against PSV.

The teams:

Man City (from): Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Ben Haim, Garrido, Ball, Elano, Kompany, Ireland, Hamann, Fernandes, Petrov, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Jo, Schmeichel, Evans, Sturridge, Glauber, Etuhu.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Dossena, Babel, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Benayoun, Riera, Torres, Kuyt, Keane, Lucas, Cavalieri.