Rafael Benitez's men host City on Saturday and then travel to Budapest for their Champions League night of destiny against Debrecen on Tuesday.

The following Sunday sees Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park to face neighbours Everton, and they probably need three wins to keep their season alive.

Every aspect of Liverpool's faltering status will be under scrutiny in those three game - in the Premier League, Europe and their own back yard.

Firstly, though, Liverpool must re-discover their strength to hold off the substantial challenge of Manchester City, who covet the Merseyside club's shaky hold on a place in the big four of English football.

City have aspirations of Champions League football and Liverpool's place in that elite group looks the most vulnerable.

Insua knows just how important it is for Liverpool to show they are not prepared to give up that place without a fight.

He said: "We know we have to start winning games and this is a big game, but it's still too early to be looking at the league table.

"Maybe we can look at it again in February or March and then see where we are.

"We have to start showing what we are capable of. City have signed a lot of top players and they are a good team but we have a good squad as well.

"They want to be in the top four but there are a lot of teams fighting for this, so we have to push hard and start winning games.

"But there is long way to go in the season and a lot of games left in the Premier League for us to put things right, starting with Manchester City."

Liverpool should have Steven Gerrard fit, along with Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson. Fernando Torres is almost certainly out, but French teenager David Ngog will play despite breaking his nose on under-21 duty this week.

Insua added: "Maybe we are making some mistakes in defence and conceding goals from set pieces but we have worked hard on this in training and are confident we can put things right.

"City will come to Anfield to try and win and I think it will be a very open game. We have to be strong in defence and we have an advantage because we are playing at home with our fans behind us."