A hard summer's work of training comes to fruition at Anfield tomorrow for Malcolm Shotton.

The 43-year-old coach, who prides himself on his sergeant major approach, joined City two months ago as part of new manager Chris Hutchings' team and he is delighted with the response he has had from the players as he prepares them for the new campaign.The vastly experienced Shotton, a personal friend of Hutchings from their playing days at Huddersfield Town, has played a key role in one of the most hectic close seasons most people can remember.

Now he is all set for the new campaign and he knows how tough a start City have Anfield tomorrow.

"We had a good session yesterday, it was sharp and the players look right," he said.

"We have brought in five new players and they have all fitted in very well.

"It has been a different type of pre-season with the six Intertoto Cup games. Every-one has enjoyed the pre-season. It is has been a very productive time.

"The Intertoto Cup games were very good, more competititves than friendlies, and we got a lot out of them. You learn a lot from players in other countries and their different techniques.

"Our players have been great in training. The running has been hard and necessary, but they have done everything I have asked them to do which is to their credit. Now we are into the real world again.

"It's a tough start. Liverpool are a massive club and they want to return to their former glories. They have spent a lot of money during the close season and they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

"So it is going to be a tough match, but that is the sort of challenge you face in the Premiership week in week out. It is the best league in the world and the lads know they are in for a quality game every week.

"We are going to do a job and we are going there to be professional. We have also got to be positive. That is one message we have tried to instil into the players.

"Liverpool have got good players right through the side and if you try to cut out one of them someone else will pop up elsewhere, but we have got a good squad of players ourselves.

"We know what to expect from them and we have got to make sure that we are doing our own job.

"The players will have learned a massive amount from last season as they stayed in the Premiership against all the odds and the players we have brought in will strengthen the side."

Assistant manager Stuart McCall said: It's a difficult start to the season with matches against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in our first five games and we don't want to be left behind early in the season. But you would rather be going to Anfield for your first game than to Crewe.

"The expectation level among the supporters has risen because of the quality of players we have signed.

"After a year in the division we know what to expect.

"We have signed five experienced players of good quality, better than we had last season, but the other side of the coin is that every other side have strengthened their squads.

"We want to be as successful as the next club."