Pascoe: Let's keep momentum
Colin Pascoe believes Liverpool can build on the momentum of a first Barclays Premier League home win of the season and successive clean sheets against Stoke and Reading at Anfield against Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday.
The Russian Premier League leaders arrive on Merseyside in fine form and the assistant manager is under no illusions as to the quality they possess.
But he feels that if the Reds continue to find the right passes and look to dominate the game, then the hard work Brendan Rodgers and his squad are putting in on the training ground will pay dividends.
He told reporters gathered at Anfield: "Our performances have been encouraging and in the last two games we have played well and have kept two clean sheets.
"The way we have been performing, the way we have created chances and the way the team is dominating games is fantastic. Anzhi are a good team and they will prove tough opposition.
"They have lost just one game in 21 and they are unbeaten in Europe this season. They have spent a lot of money and they have good players. They have got a great manager and I'm sure they will progress over the next few years.
"The boys are practising [becoming more clinical in front of goal] but if they weren't creating chances then we would start worrying.
"They are getting in the right areas and getting the right crosses and passes in but we have just been a little unfortunate in that the ball has been landing on the other side of the post."
With news that Pepe Reina will be out of action for Thursday's night's Group A clash, Brad Jones will take up the gloves for a second consecutive game.
The 'keeper was in solid form against Reading at the weekend making a number of fine stops to preserve the Reds' one-goal lead.
"Brad is a true professional," said Pascoe. "Every day he comes in and works hard. He's always ready and he trains well and he's now got his opportunity in the side.
"He has only played the one game but he has kept a clean sheet, so he'll be looking forward to the next game and the way he performed [against Reading] and how he came for crosses and his distribution was spot on."
Luis Suarez could play some part in Thursday night's fixture and the Uruguayan is already off the mark in the Europa League this season having struck a fine free-kick against Udinese at Anfield.
"He's a fantastic player - absolutely superb," said Pascoe. "He's a maverick around the box, he creates chances for other players and he's got a good goalscoring record."
Meanwhile, Everton await the Reds at the weekend as Rodgers' men look to make it two wins on the bounce in the Barclays Premier League.
It promises to be an exciting clash with the high-flying Blues but Pascoe insists Liverpool are completely focused on securing the points against Anzhi before they allow themselves to get into the derby spirit.
"It's always the same - you look to the next game and the boys are really looking forward to Anzhi," he said. "Everton v Liverpool is a massive game but we haven't really been thinking about it - we're just thinking about the game tomorrow.
"Every player who puts a shirt on for Liverpool will want to win a game and every coach wants to win. Tomorrow is very important."