Liverpool FC look to fulfil Mancini's erratic prophecy

The room remained silent, but the expression of Roberto Mancini was unyielding. "I think Liverpool will fight for the title this year because they bought good players," the Manchester City manager told his captive audience at Friday's press conference. "They have a good manager; they change their style of play." The Italian is gaining a reputation for wild predictions and wacky prophecies. No matter the points difference between his City side and Manchester United last season, the Italian maintained his side were the underdogs in the title race. If you approached him moments after Sergio Aguero's divine intervention in the final minute of the final day, he probably still would have tied red ribbons around the Premier League trophy.

Mancini won't quit over transfer policy

Roberto Mancini has laughed off reports that he is willing to quit Manchester City in frustration at the club's transfer policy.

City have only made one summer signing, Jack Rodwell, while failing to lure a host of big-name targets to the Etihad Stadium, and it was suggested that the Italian would walk away from his lucrative five-year deal with the champions.

But he said: "No. It is not true. If the newspaper sells a lot of copies, I am happy for the newspaper. I never said this and I never think this."

Mancini is looking to strengthen City's squad before the transfer window closes with Scott Sinclair's move from Swansea thought to be imminent.

Brendan Rodgers has played down Roberto Mancini's claim that Liverpool are Premier League

Brendan Rodgers has played down Roberto Mancini's claim that Liverpool are Premier League title challengers.

Brendan Rodgers is seen as a rival by Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini

Mancini made the claim as he prepares to take his Manchester City side to Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool manager Rodgers, who replaced Kenny Dalglish during the summer, has made it clear that there is plenty of work to do after the club finished eighth last season.

His ambition is to turn Liverpool into title contenders once again, but with his spending limited, the manager thinks it will take a while.

Asked if he thought Mancini was right to describe Liverpool as title contenders this season, Rodgers said: "Let's hope so! Listen, we've got a bit of work to do. There's absolutely no doubt about that.

Liverpool are challengers for the Premier League title, according to Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

Liverpool are challengers for the Premier League title, according to Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

Brendan Rodgers: Faces City on Sunday

Mancini takes his City side to Anfield on Sunday to face a team who finished 37 points behind his Premier League champions last season and who lost at West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.

But the Italian believes that a change of manager on Merseyside, with Brendan Rodgers replacing Kenny Dalglish, and the quality in the squad means they could end Liverpool's 22-year wait for a 19th title.

Tottenham and Liverpool have both approached Manchester City about signing winger Adam Johnson.

Tottenham and Liverpool have both approached Manchester City about signing winger Adam Johnson.

City boss Roberto Mancini confirmed last weekend that Johnson, 25, is surplus to requirements at Eastlands and can move on in search of regular first-team football.

Sunderland have already lodged a £10 million bid for the England international, but he is thought to favour a move to one of the Premier League's bigger sides rather than a return to his native North East.

Spurs and Liverpool fit that profile and a Manchester City source confirmed to ESPN that both "have made enquires for Adam Johnson".

Roberto Mancini is ready to admit defeat in his attempts to take Javi Martinez

Roberto Mancini is ready to admit defeat in his attempts to take Javi Martinez, Daniele De Rossi and Daniel Agger to Manchester City.

GettyImagesRoberto Mancini: Transfer market frustration

The Italian has already missed out on two other major summer transfer targets - Eden Hazard, who joined Chelsea, and Robin van Persie, who left Arsenal for Manchester United.

Now Athletic Bilbao's Spain international Martinez is on the brink of moving to Bayern Munich, and De Rossi and Agger, who appear likely to remain at Roma and Liverpool respectively.