You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Brendan Rodgers believes Manchester City will once again be the team to beat in the Premier League title race.

Liverpool went agonisingly close to ending their 24-year for a 19th top flight crown back in May when they finished two points adrift of the champions.

The clubs meet in the International Champions Cup at New York's Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night and the Reds boss believes they will both be competing for the big prizes this season.

“The champions go into the next season as favourites and rightly so,” Rodgers said.

Watch: Rodgers on Divock Origi, LFC v City and Reds won't be the new Spurs

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“City were the most consistent team and they pipped us to the title by a couple of points. They will be the benchmark for us.

“I'm really looking forward to this season and hopefully we can have a similar if not more successful season.

“There is great hunger and motivation in this group to push on.

“I looked at the combinations today in training between Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert and they were exceptional.

“I think we'll see Daniel push on again this season and hopefully he can stay injury free.

“Rickie already looks very comfortable in the group and we'll also look to bring another striker in if possible.

“We have been welcomed with real warmth here in America and the facilities are excellent. This trip is going to provide us with a great platform for this season."

Full-back Jon Flanagan won't feature against City as a minor knee problem will keep him out of the remaining matches on the tour but Kolo Toure is expected to line up against his brother.

City midfielder Yaya Toure was linked with a move away from Eastlands this summer but the Reds centre-back always knew he would stay put.

“It's going to be really good to play against Yaya again,” he said.

“I will try to challenge him and try to win the game for my club.

Watch: Kolo Toure on his hopes for the new season and Dejan Lovren

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“I knew Yaya was going to stay at City. Before I signed for City I told him that was the right place for him.

“He is one of the best players there and I don't think he needed to move on this year which is great for him and his club.

“Our pre-season is going great and everyone is working really hard.

“We will give our all in every game and see what we can achieve.”

Watch: Rodgers on Sturridge and hopes of bringing in a new striker

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

More Liverpool FC news:

Gerrard ready to summer of heartache behind him and go again in title quest

Gerrard: Rodgers pledge over LFC game time convinced me to quit England

Gerrard convinced Reds can go one step further this season and win the league

Live: Liverpool FC in the USA, July 29 2014

Liverpool sign teenage Belgian World Cup star Divock Origi

Keep or sell survey results: how ECHO readers voted

Watch: Steven Gerrard's Whiston Juniors team-mate hoping for reunion on LFC tour

Sturridge believes he and his Liverpool teammates will cope with Suarez loss

Liverpool open talks over new contract for youngster Suso

Henderson excited by Markovic impact during Olympiakos victory

Reds pre-season tour: Chicago fervour gives New York a tough act to follow

Photo extra: Liverpool 1 Olympiacos 0 from Chicago

*You can follow Liverpool's tour of the USA every step of the way. James Pearce and Kristian Walsh will be bringing you news, views and exclusive footage from the Reds' trip, from Boston to Charlotte. There will also be a dedicated liveblog every morning, running all the way through the day and covering the games.