Mancini believes Liverpool is one of the hardest away trips of the season and knows this will also prove a tricky encounter so early in the campaign – but will also be a great game to win.
“I think that Liverpool are always dangerous at home and I think under Brendan Rodgers, they will do very well this year because he is a very good coach,” said Mancini.
“They won away to Hearts but I expect them to perhaps be more dangerous because they lost their opening game at West Brom and will be eager to get that result out of their system.
“They may be without Daniel Agger, but they have good quality throughout their team and they will maybe bring someone like Jamie Carragher in as a replacement – he is a terrific player with a lot of experience so it will be equally as difficult for us.
“Anfield is a very tough place to go and we drew there twice last season, but each match was very difficult. The year before we lost 3-0 and were well beaten so there are no easy games away to Liverpool. It will be a tough test for us, but one we are ready for.
”In fact any game on Merseyside is a stern test as Everton proved against United. I didn’t see the game but the result didn’t surprise me because I know how well Everton can play at Goodison Park – they are very strong when they play against the top teams.
“It is another very difficult place to play, not only for ourselves, but for Arsenal, United and Chelsea, too. I think Everton can do well this season.”
Mancini was pleased with Jack Rodwell’s debut against Southampton and believes the former Everton star will continue to get better as he settles into to his new surroundings.
“Jack played very well and had a good debut,” he said. “It was his first game for a new team and we had only worked together once prior to the game. He knows he has a lot of hard work ahead of him but he can be a very good player for us.”
