Kevin De Bruyne expects to find the same old Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday despite Jurgen Klopp's side trailing the champions by 13 points.
Liverpool haven't been at their best this season though they did defeat City 3-1 in the Community Shield curtain-raiser.
Since then they've slumped to defeats against Napoli, Manchester United and Arsenal and been held by Fulham and Brighton.
Even so, de Bruyne insists they won't be underestimating their great rivals and will prepare the same as if they were locked in one of their famous title battles.