Manuel Pellegrini believes Raheem Sterling will become more prolific this season and believes Sunday's high-stakes game against Chelsea is just the sort of match in which he will justify his £49 million fee.
Sterling became the most expensive English footballer in history when he joined Manchester City in July.
And he lines up against Chelsea, one of the other clubs who were interested in him, when he makes his home debut on Sunday.
The 20-year-old had two opportunities to open his City account in competitive football during Monday's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, but he was unable to take either.
He scored just 23 goals in 129 games for Liverpool but Pellegrini is confident that, as Sterling improves and is surrounded by better players, he will become more potent.
He said in a news conference: "I am sure he will score more goals than he did before."
Pellegrini is refusing to set Sterling a target but added: "I think last year he scored 11 in all competitions. I am sure this season he will improve.
"I think that he will be a very dangerous player. Maybe we were criticised for the amount we played for him but I am sure he will demonstrate during the year, especially against the big teams, why he was valued so much."
Sterling's finest Liverpool form came in a team that included Luis Suarez, and Pellegrini believes City striker Sergio Aguero could be another catalyst who brings the best from the winger.
"It is always important for young players to play with good players," he said. "You can improve, the same way he did with Luis Suarez or [Steven] Gerrard for Liverpool, here he will play with David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure -- players that will make him improve in a lot of ways.
"Young players always learn from important players. It is very important for them to play with him."
Pellegrini, who has rejected past suggestions City are an old team, believes his key players are at their prime.
Aguero, Silva, captain Vincent Kompany and goalkeeper Joe Hart are all aged between 27 and 29.
And the City manager said: "Our most important players are in their best ages."