City have taken big spending to a new level this summer with their recent captures of Mario Balotelli and James Milner pushing their expenditure in the current transfer window past £120million. Their extravagance is intended to catapult them into contention for the Premier League title and it threatens to overshadow some of the game's traditional powerhouses. Yet City's new-found market dominance is not something that is taxing Hodgson. The 63-year-old has been charged with the task of reviving one of England's most successful clubs and, however modest the current resources at Anfield in comparison to City, that represents a new career peak. "I am never jealous," said Hodgson, who boasts a wealth of experience from a coaching career that has taken him around Europe. "I am in a position where I want to be and I am working for a club I have always wanted to work for. "I think it is for other people to be jealous of me. It would be very sad if someone who has been as fortunate as I have in my career starts getting jealous of other people. "I knew what I was coming to when I came to Liverpool and I have been very pleasantly surprised by everything, especially the reception I got from the players and fans and the way the players have responded to the work we have tried to do." Liverpool take on City in their second Premier League game of the season at Eastlands on Monday. The game has been billed as a clash of the old stagers versus the new pretenders but Hodgson sees no reason why Liverpool should not aspire to the same heights as Roberto Mancini's City this season. The former Inter Milan and Fulham boss said: "We both have high ambitions. I'll be disappointed if we have a bad season, he will be (if they do) too. "Expectations are high whatever you do - if you spend no money there are high expectations, but when you spend a lot of money the expectations are a little bit greater. "He [Mancini] is used to that - like myself he has worked at Inter. When you work there you are used to high expectations." Monday's game is a tough early test in a crucial season for Liverpool, who are anxious to reclaim a place in the top four and the Champions League after missing out last term. Although uncertainty surrounds the club's future ownership, spirits on the field are high after an encouraging season-opening draw against Arsenal last week. Hodgson believes it is as good a time as any to be playing City. He said: "If you look at their squad on paper and the quality of players they have bought, everybody sees them as being a strong squad. "They obviously have a very good chance this year of winning the Premier League. "That is their goal and I am sure they would be devastated not to finish among the top three and play Champions League football. "You can have theories on when is the best time to play teams but whenever we were drawn to play Manchester City it was going to be a tough game. We are going to have to be at our best to get a result." Liverpool will be without Joe Cole due to suspension but Javier Mascherano could return from a calf injury. Daniel Agger is doubtful after suffering concussion against Arsenal. With the trip to Eastlands in mind, Hodgson made seven changes from the side which faced the Gunners for Thursday's Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor. He added: "I think we have got good players here and the makings of a very good squad. "So, I think it is foolish to be envious. Each club has its possibilities and its limitations. "I am confident on Monday we will play well and give them a good game. "If they beat us it will, presumably, be because they have been the better team on the night."
