Mancini warns City to respect Liverpool threat

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has warned his players that Liverpool are capable of dealing another major blow to their title hopes in Sunday's showdown at Eastlands.

The reigning Premier League champions wasted a chance to keep the pressure on Manchester United when they were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling QPR in midweek and they could be 10 points behind the leaders by the time they face Liverpool this weekend.

If United beat Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, City's title defence will be in serious danger and Mancini is well aware that Liverpool have the individual talent to add to his team's problems.

While Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has endured mixed results this season as he tries to develop a new system at Anfield, Mancini believes Liverpool will always be a threat while they can call on the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard.