- Liverpool host Manchester City in their Champions League quarter-final first leg
- Reds ace Jordan Henderson is confident ahead of Wednesday’s match at Anfield
- Liverpool captain says his side respect City but do not fear Pep Guardiola’s team
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has insisted that his side will go into their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City with no fear.
The Reds are 18 points behind City in the Premier League table, but Henderson believes that the two teams will begin their two-legged European clash as ‘equals’.
Liverpool won their last meeting with City 4-3 at Anfield in January and Henderson is confident of beating Pep Guardiola’s men again.
Captain Jordan Henderson has insisted that his Liverpool side are Manchester City’s equals
Henderson said Liverpool will go into their Champions League clash with respect but not fear
Speaking to Liverpool’s matchday magazine, Henderson said: ‘The reality for us is that we are facing a world-class side coached by a world-class manager. But we haven’t won a raffle to be at this stage, we’ve earned it. We’re here on merit and we face City as equals.
‘They’ll have as much respect for us as we have for them. But it’s respect, not fear. I look at it as being a fantastic tie that the whole world will be interested in. These are the sorts of games as players that make all the hard work and sacrifice worth it.
‘I’m sure there will be lots of talk of who is the favourite and who the pressure and expectation is on. For us as players, none of that really matters. Every player in our dressing room believes in ourselves and expects to win.
‘There’s no external pressure greater than what we place on ourselves. It will be the same for City. It’s not a question of wanting it more, or who expects to be successful and achieve – they’ll want it as much as we will.
‘Occasions like this are decided by who performs best over the two legs and who makes the most of the decisive moments. The team that takes their chances will stand the best chance of reaching the semi-finals.’
Henderson is likely to be tasked with protecting Liverpool’s defence in the absence of midfield anchor man Emre Can, who is a serious doubt due to a back injury.
Before beating City 4-3, Liverpool lost 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium in September. Despite that thrashing, the Reds have an impressive recent head-to-head record against City. They have beaten City in six of their last 10 Premier League meetings, while the Manchester outfit have not won at Anfield since 2003.
Liverpool were victorious in their last battle with City, who have not won at Anfield since 2003
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