A very quick turnaround for City now as Liverpool visit the Etihad Stadium only 2 days after City's dramatic loss against Sunderland. When questioned about the fixture list, Mancini was clearly unhappy that Liverpool got an extra 48 hours rest before what is one of the big fixtures in City's Premier League calendar.
Kenny Daglish will be hoping to capitalise on Arsenal's loss to Fulham as a win would take them above the Gunners into 5th place, level on points with 4th place Chelsea. 
Suarez returns from a one match ban for his one finger salute to Fulham fans on December 5th, but also knowing he almost certainly faces a minimum 8 match suspension starting in the next couple of weeks for racially abusing Patrice Evra. Another charge of the same nature could see him banned from English association football indefinitely. 
David Silva, Mario Balotelli, James Milner, Micah Richards, and Gael Clichy are almost dead certs to return to the starting lineup. Kolo Toure is a possible other due to playing 2 games in such a short space of time. Mancini will be hoping these players will make the difference against Liverpool.
The Etihad Stadium plays host to Stoke City in tomorrow's Premier League fixture. The Potters have won the last 4 games on the bounce, beating an in form Tottenham on the way. City returned to winning ways against Arsenal on Sunday in an enthralling end to end spectacle.
Tony Pulis and his team currently sit 8th in the table and qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League. They are a tough test for any team to face, physically robust and know how to play to their strengths. Although Stoke do have players that can play a bit, they are well known for a certain, very unattractive style of play.
Rory Delap is well known for his ability to launch the ball into the box from throw ins, and giving one away within 30 yards from the goal line is as good as giving away a corner. City will have to be fully focused if Stoke get any throw ins or free kicks near the area. If Kompany and Richards play like they did against Arsenal though even the likes of Crouch will have a tough time beating them in the air. 
We may also see a recall to action from Edin Dzeko in place of Super Mario. Although Mario provides much more flair and an ability to create something out of nothing, Edin has more of a physical presence and is less likely to lose his temper with the physical nature of Stoke's defence. In short, Mario is an easy target and Edin he is a safer option to start with. He's also is due a bag full of goals having not hit the back of the net for over 6 weeks.
Facebook: David Silva's Left Foot
What a game that was! Quite possibly the mos t exciting game I've seen this season. With a 1-0 scoreline you would be forgiven for thinking this was an edgy, nervous game with few chances, but you would be very wrong.
It was blatantly clear from the moment the whistle went that both teams were up for this game. City's season was falling apart according to large sections of the media after losing to Chelsea, and with Manchester United beating QPR earlier on in the day City really needed a result to stay top of the league.
Within the first 10 minutes City could have been 1-0 up as Zabaleta (playing at left back) received the ball out wide from a perfectly weighted pass from Barry. With the Arsenal defence retreating, Zaba placed a wonderful first time pass across the top of the 18 yard box which was collected expertly by Aguero. Sergio's first touch was sublime, his shot however wasn't as he blasted the ball over the bar. 
That's exactly what they did. Both Zabaleta and Kompany has absolutely superb games. Amongst the best I've ever seen either of them play. Komapny was a giant in defence, nothing was getting past him and he even showed a few deft touches going forward when the opportunity arose. Zabaleta was sensational at left back both in defence and going forward, even hitting the post with a drive from outside the area later in the game. 
The first half was exhilarating as both sides seemingly took turns in trading blows. City attacked, then Arsenal attacked, back and forth it went. Joe Hart made a number of fantastic saves to keep City in the game, the best performance from him so far this season as he was clearly desperate to keep a clean sheet. Both teams went in level at 0-0 at the halfway mark. 
Both sides had a number of good chances in the second half. Robin Van Persie had the ball in the back of the net at one point but the assistant flagged for offside. Arsenal may well feel aggrieved after seeing the reply though. It was a mixture of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from both teams that kept the score down before time was called on a simply breathtaking game.
Facebook: David Silva's Left Foot
Kolo Toure's most recent interview, given to So Foot will certainly raise a few eyebrows within City, and they certainly don't conform with the professional image that people generally associate with the elder Toure brother.
"I feel it's going to be more and more difficult for Africans. Competing in the tournament is a catastrophe for us these days. Coaches don't want to sign players because of it. African players are the victims of discrimination."
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't City sign his brother last year? Do Drogba and Essien play for one of the biggest clubs in England? Adebayor currently plays on loan for Spurs (although retired from international duty), Gyan was signed by Sunderland but wanted out, Odemwingie plays for West Brom and so on and so on. There have been plenty of African players play in the Premier League over the years.
Although the accusation of discrimination was not directed specifically at Manchester City, he then goes on to describe how the club hired a plane to get him back to Manchester from the African Nations Cup so he would be available to play in the Carling Cup semi-final 2nd leg against United in January 2010;
"I couldn't get back in time and we lost. I believe the club as never got past that, and I'm paying for it now."
So Kolo is saying because he couldn't get back in time to play a game the club are punishing him for it nearly 2 years later? Don't make me laugh. He was still first choice for the defensive partnership last season for the majority of the first half of the campaign until his drugs ban.
There are also claims that Kolo questioned the ability of fellow player and defender Stefan Savic by saying "When you look at the performance of Savic against QPR - excuse me, I'm relaxed."
Sorry Kolo but you've hardly covered yourself in glory when you've been given chances this season. I can appreciate that he will not be as sharp as he should be because of the ban but my word, some of the mistakes he has made are horrendous. I wont say he is a bad player but he isn't anywhere near being a first choice centre back at this moment in time.
He also went on to add "I know my own qualities, I've got nothing to prove. I'm convinced that if I'm not playing, it's not only for footballing reasons."
Those 2 howlers in the first 15 minutes against Norwich would have seen City 2-0 down against better opposition. Although he played well for the rest of that game it was against a newly promoted side for crying out loud. His performances against Birmingham and Wolves in the Carling Cup were, shall we say, questionable.
When Kolo failed his drugs test, Joleon Lescott quickly forged a strong partnership at the back with Vincent Kompany. One that was much more balanced and compatible than that of Kolo and Kompany. In my own opinion, Lescott is a better defender than Kolo in the first place. That may not have been the case 3-4 years ago, but it certainly has been for the last 2-3 in my own opinion.
How Kolo can say there is any other reason than ability for not getting much game time is absolutely laughable. He sounds like a jealous ex-girlfriend who's been dumped for someone younger and more attractive. He has no one but himself to blame for his lack of game time. Ok maybe he can blame Lescott and Kompany too, but it's not their fault they're just better than him.
There have already been rumours about PSG's interest in the Ivorian, and with us only a few short weeks away from the January transfer window these comments scream 'I'm an international footballer, get me out of here.' And to be quite honest, I'm not bothered.
Savic has shown signs that he has potential and if Kolo does leave I doubt we wouldn't be in a position to be able to bring in another defender if Mancini wishes to do so. But we'll see how this pans out, we can't see the whole context in which these comments were made in, but they aren't particularly professional and they wont help his case in the slightest if he actually wants to be at City.
Twitter: @MikeWalsh1880
Facebook: David Silva's Left Foot
Since joining City from Shrewsbury, Joe Hart has worked his way up to be both club and country's 1st choice goalkeeper. This was no mean feat either, and I'd say it was even more of an achievement to do it at City as he had one of the best keepers to grace the Premier League fighting him for it.
Although other players generally stand out for their performances or attitude towards the club I do think Charles gets a little overlooked (more so this season than last and a little like his 1st name) but epitomises the desire within the squad. 
That sums up the mentality Mancini is instilling within the squad. He's a perfectionist and we've all heard him talk about the players never resting on their laurels, always striving to do better and even after a good win there is always something to improve on. It's important you see. Bobby has also mentioned (on a number of occasions) after City have let in the odd goal that this is one thing that bugs him. It seems to bug all the players too. 
"There was a lot of talk about the Charity Shield, when we were 2-0 up at the break... We were telling each other not to back off, to go for it. And we did."
If there's one thing that City aren't short of, it's leaders. Joe Hart is a commanding and confident presence at the back. Vincent Kompany is a born leader and club captain. Nigel De Jong is another strong and influential character in the team. Gareth Barry has captained England at times, has a steady head and is a fantastic professional. Micah Richards, despite his age he is a big character and as determined as anyone at the club when he steps on that pitch. Kolo Toure can be added to that as he was club captain at one point. I should Imagine Kolo's brother Yaya, will also be one of those to get their say as he is one of the most experienced players in the squad. 
Some teams struggle to find 1 good leader, City have at least 6 or 7 to choose from, and it shows. No longer are we seeing the team put their heads down after a goal, we're seeing them push from the first to the last whistle, we're also seeing them push even harder to finish the game in a strong manner. 
Wolves, a team well known for their 'physical' approach to the game only had 5 fouls called against them all game. City on the other hand had 17. An example of one of these 'fouls' was a Wolves player leaping over and into the back of Mario Balotelli to head the ball, which caused Mario to double over (a little theatrically, but still...). What was the refs decision? Foul... to Wolves, because Stuart Attwell decided Mario had backed into the player. Ok then Stuart.
Another example would be the blatant penalty call that both the ref and linesman conveniently missed/flat-out ignored when Nasri lifted the ball into the box. Dzeko at this point was almost in a choke hold but nothing was called. 
Yes City were and are still impressive despite not being at their best, despite playing against a ref that simply refused to acknowledge any foul against a City player even if that left them on the floor clutching their ankle in pain, despite going down to 10 men (for what is increasingly looking like a 50/50 after watching it on several replays, but we'll not argue) City were still impressive. They locked out Wolves and still got themselves a goal. Maybe Fergie could learn something there.
Kenny Daglish will be hoping to capitalise on Arsenal's loss to Fulham as a win would take them above the Gunners into 5th place, level on points with 4th place Chelsea. 
Suarez returns from a one match ban for his one finger salute to Fulham fans on December 5th, but also knowing he almost certainly faces a minimum 8 match suspension starting in the next couple of weeks for racially abusing Patrice Evra. Another charge of the same nature could see him banned from English association football indefinitely. 
David Silva, Mario Balotelli, James Milner, Micah Richards, and Gael Clichy are almost dead certs to return to the starting lineup. Kolo Toure is a possible other due to playing 2 games in such a short space of time. Mancini will be hoping these players will make the difference against Liverpool. 
