The Blues are clinging to top place by goal difference after the surprise defeat at Sunderland that meant Roberto Mancini’s men have dropped eight points in three away games.
And Craig Bellamy’s Liverpool arrive at the Etihad in top form after the former City striker scored two to scupper Newcastle and celebrate Steven Gerrard’s return to action.
Midfield enforcer De Jong, drafted back in at the Stadium of Light after a spell on the bench, said: “Liverpool is going to be another tough game.
“They’ve just had a boost be getting their captain back - Steven Gerrard is playing again, and they are on a good streak at the moment, so it will be difficult.
“But games against Liverpool are always tough, whether they are at home or away. They always come out of the dressing-room looking to dictate the play, the same as we do.
But we are at home and have our supporters behind us, so we have to take full advantage of that and try to get three points
Sunday’s setback - only City’s second League defeat this season - has not dented the Blues’ confidence going into the second half of the campaign.
De Jong added: “We are still top of the table - it would have been nicer to to have a three-point difference over United and the rest of the teams, so it’s disappointing in that respect.
“But we are the leaders, and we just have to get ourselves back on track in the next game.”
