Manchester City: View from the opposition

Morrison is remembered by City fans as one of their best-ever captains, and was voted so in the club's official magazine, with only Roy Paul and Tony Book deemed to have been better leaders than him.

His leadership skills and ability to motivate the players around him were widely praised as key factors behind City's return to the top flight after their fall into Division Two.

He faced Liverpool twice during his time with the Manchester outfit - and below, Andy describes facing a young Steven Gerrard and securing the Scouser's match-worn shirt afterwards, as he previews today's game at Anfield.

Andy, how are you feeling ahead of the match?

You've got to be optimistic. City's second half performance against Barcelona was decent. The first half was disappointing, really. But on the back of the Newcastle game, a few players are coming back into form. Yaya Toure will be back in the team and we're going into the game very optimistic. We're in a position where we can't afford to draw a game, with the league the way it is now. I think we'll be going all out to win the game and we have a good chance. Against Newcastle, City were very good. They were probably back to as good as they have been all season. Many things clicked on the day. So many things were good on that day and so positive. We looked such a threat going forward, with so many dimensions to our attacking play. Then you're playing against one of the best teams ever in Barcelona. And probably, with hindsight, we would have done things differently. Second half we came into it more and gave a better account. But you just know the team will be absolutely champing at the bit with the chance to go two points behind Chelsea on offer.

If you had to pick one Liverpool player to be wearing sky blue this afternoon, who would you bring into the City side?

I'd probably go for Raheem Sterling. If he was in our squad, we'd have all that ability he has now, as well as what he has to offer over the next few years. He's an exceptional player. I think he will develop into a world-class player. Liverpool know they have all that quality there to come over the next few years, so I'd go for Raheem.

Who is the one player for City who can be the difference in today's game?

I believe we have three players capable of that. David Silva is a fantastic talent. Like Yaya, he can do anything on his day. And we've got a world-class forward in Sergio Aguero. I think there's no disputing just how good he is. We've got many angles of attack, but if I was pushed to pick one, I'd have to say Aguero. When he's fit, in the big games, he can get goals. He's our main threat and the main danger to Liverpool.

Aguero made his return from injury during the game between Liverpool and City at Anfield in April last year. What are your memories of the day from a City perspective?

I remember us being 2-0 down and then fighting back into it. It was a fantastic spell in the second half for City. For 20 minutes they battled back into the game. We were probably a bit naive in trying to get the winner, when a draw would have been better at the time. But history shows that it didn't matter - we went on to win the title. If it ever gets to that stage this year, I'd like to think that City will be a bit wiser. In terms of today's clash, the positions have changed because we need to go and win the game to go two points behind Chelsea. So that's a massive carrot for the team. It'll be one step at a time, but I think we'll be going all out to get the victory.

You played against Liverpool twice during your career - what are your memories?

I played at Anfield in a cup game, late on in the season. We lost 4-2. Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen were playing on the day. Liverpool were a really good team at that point. It was tough, but it was enjoyable. Anfield is a great place to play football. Funnily enough - and I'm trying to think how old he would have been - I played against Steven Gerrard in both of those games and I managed to get his shirt.

It will have been at Maine Road. We drew the game 1-1. We're going back the best part of 14 years now, but I just remember thinking after the game what a talent he was at that time and what potential he had. He's fulfilled that potential and more. I don't think anybody could have envisaged what he would go on to achieve in the game and for Liverpool. The way he's led the team, he's a shining example of a home-grown player, who can stay at the club for pretty much all of his career and win trophies and have a fantastic career.

What do you remember of Steven from that game?

He didn't look like the powerhouse that he became. He was still young, he was still developing - at that age, you still are. But I just remember the lads saying afterwards what an athlete he was, the way he covered the ground and the presence that he had at that young age. I've still got his shirt, signed by the Liverpool team, hanging up in the house. I'm really pleased to have played against him and ending up with his shirt was a bonus.

Have you got a prediction for the game?

I'm very, very poor at predictions. The amount of times I get them wrong - I very rarely get them right. So I'll go for a 2-1 win for City. With the talent that Liverpool have, I think they will score. But I feel the need is greater for City to win the game, in order to keep the title push alive. So I'll go for that scoreline.