The new Premier League season is right around the corner, with Manchester City taking on Liverpool on Sunday in the Community Shield final at Wembley - the annual curtain raiser for the new season.
Pep Guardiola's side came up triumphant last term to win a second league crown in a row, finishing one point ahead of the Reds in what was a remarkable tussle for the Premier League title.
City are now aiming to become the first side to retain the Premier League title in three consecutive seasons since Manchester United a decade ago and Liverpool, fresh from winning the Champions League last term, are expected to be their fiercest rivals in the hunt.
The Reds have never won the Premier League and their last league title came three decades ago, though Jurgen Klopp is seen by many as the man to end the long wait for a crown on Merseyside.
However, their preparations have not gone according to plan after a poor run of form during pre-season. While it all started with comfortable wins against Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers, things then started to go downhill.
Liverpool's pre-season journey saw them travel to North America and the Reds travelled back across the Atlantic without a win to show for their efforts, having lost to Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Napoli.
The Reds did manage to secure a draw against Sporting Lisbon but it does mean that they head into the clash with City at Wembley without a win in their last four matches, although they are due to play Lyon tomorrow.
Liverpool then kick off the new Premier League season a week on Friday at home to newly-promoted Norwich City, a game they will be expected to win, while City begin their campaign the following day against West Ham.
City meet Liverpool at Anfield on November 9, with the return clash taking place at the Etihad Stadium in April - which could be decisive in the fight for the title.
