Downing: Let's end City run
Stewart Downing believes Liverpool will have to repeat their Chelsea heroics if they are to end Manchester City's unbeaten start to the league season on Sunday afternoon.
The leaders come into the clash on the back of a disappointing result in the Champions League but remain the team to beat on the domestic front.
The England winger points to the Citizens's emphatic wins at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane as proof of the danger they pose and feels the Reds must prove their mettle if they are to emerge victorious.
Downing told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's going to have to be a top performance. They are a top team with many, many great players, not just in the 11 but on the bench.
"We are going to have to be right up for it and start well. If we don't they will punish you, which they have shown against the top teams this season. But we have belief in our own ability."
He added: "I think we should look forward to it and say 'Why can't we be the first team to beat them?' It's a great incentive for us. Obviously they are coming off a defeat in Napoli so they will be right up for it.
"We are full of confidence from our result at Chelsea so it has the makings of a cracking game. We are at home at Anfield so I'm confident we can get a result."
The Reds welcome Roberto Mancini's men to L4 on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Downing admits confidence levels at Melwood are high at the moment and revealed that there has been an extra spring in the step of his teammates on the training pitch.
He said: "Confidence is flying, especially the way we won the game because it was difficult circumstances in the second half and we nicked it right at the end.
"Training has been really intense and we are really looking forward to the game."
Kenny Dalglish's men are currently sixth in the Barclays Premier League but lie just three points off third-placed Tottenham.
Downing is delighted that the Reds are back in the reckoning at the top of the table and is hoping their approach so far this term will continue to serve them well.
He said: "Inside the club we have the belief that we have a really good team, but we have quietly gone about our business and got some good results.
"We made a big statement on Sunday by beating Chelsea on their home turf and they don't lose there very often. We are going about our work quietly and that's the best way to do it."