Manchester City stars must prove their title credentials by beating Liverpool at Anfield, says Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes has challenged his Manchester City players to end their Premier League bore draw run and re-assert themselves as title contenders.

City's impressive start to the season has been halted by five successive draws and they face another huge test tomorrow lunchtime with a trip to Liverpool.

Although Rafa Benitez's side have themselves faltered in terms of their title challenge, Liverpool will welcome back inspirational duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

But Hughes believes his players will rise to the challenge of playing at Anfield and has urged them to seize the chance to improve their run of just five points from a possible 15.

"Historically Liverpool have been in the top four for many seasons now and we're trying to get there ourselves," said Hughes.

"This season we need to be taking points off the teams in and around us. If we can do that at places like Liverpool, then it will only help our own ambitions.

"We're in great shape, the squad is fit and healthy, and we're going to Anfield in a good frame of mind."

Despite Liverpool's poor start to the campaign, which has included a defeat to Aston Villa and a draw against Birmingham at Anfield, Hughes said they were still a formidable side.

"Liverpool have the confidence of knowing they have the ability and history of completing Premier League seasons and getting into the top four," said Hughes.

"They have that knowledge and understanding, which gives them a level of confidence as a consequence of that. 

"A few weeks ago everybody was saying it was Arsenal who were the most vulnerable of the established top four teams and at risk. So it will change.

"The season is fluid, and runs of results will affect people's perceptions of how well or poorly you do as a team.

"Liverpool are expected to be successful. That expectation has been there for decades and they live with that on a daily basis.

"And there's the sense of the fear of failure. They don't allow themselves to think of the consequences of losing games, which is something all the top sides have."