English Premier League: Will the Reds overpower the Citizens this time?

Manager Brendan Rodgers expects both teams to be on their toes.

MANCHESTER: Reigning champions Manchester City and Liverpool will renew their rivalry at the Etihad Stadium today in the first major encounter of the fledgling Premier League season.

Manuel Pellegrini believes his team have moved on from last season’s defeat to Liverpool.

“I cannot know what happened inside Liverpool or if they will be affected by last season or not, but we have moved on and I am sure Liverpool have too,” said the Chilean.

Monday’s game would not be a cautious encounter in the eyes of Rodgers as both teams broke through the 100-goal barrier last season.

“If you look at both sets of players, there’s lots of invention and creativity in the team. I think both will be creative and want to score goals,” said Rodgers.

Liverpool fans could get their first glimpses of new signings Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno, while Adam Lallana is not yet ready to return following his knee injury.

Arsenal can be challengers for title: Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed the resilience shown by his players in their 2-2 draw with Everton underlines their Premier League title credentials.

The Gunners showed plenty of grit as they battled back from two goals down to rescue a point in the closing minutes at Goodison Park on Saturday.

“For us to come back from 2-0 down against a team as good, on the counter attack it shows the amount of belief and resilience present,” said the Frenchman.

“It is our ambition [to challenge for the title]. If we can maintain that, of course we can [be challengers].

Everton had taken the lead at the break through Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith’s goals but Arsenal pulled two goals back through Aaron Ramsey 83rd minute and Olivier Giroud’s 90th minute goals.

Mourinho wants Torres to stay

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was adamant striker Fernando Torres had a future at Chelsea despite the Spain striker playing no part in the Blues’ 2-0 Premier League win over Leicester City on Saturday.

“I decided to keep the same team [that beat Burnley 3-1] and I decided to have a bench with a complete balance,” explained Mourinho.

“To be the first-choice striker he has to score more goals than the first striker. I want him [Torres] to stay.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur beat Queen Park Rangers 4-0 at White Hart Lane.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2014.

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