Rodgers: We must maintain it
Brendan Rodgers is delighted that Liverpool will usher in Christmas Day as league leaders, but is determined to ensure that supporters enjoy the gift of first place long after the festive season.
The Reds' 3-1 home victory over Cardiff City was enough to claim pole position on goal difference, after Arsenal and Chelsea played out a 0-0 draw on Monday night. It was just reward for the club, who have recorded an explosive four-game winning streak, which produced 17 successful strikes.
Rodgers is pleased the players can see the product of all the hard work they've put in, which doubles up as the best Christmas gift to fans. But while he's revelling in the moment, he wants the club to kick on over the coming weeks.
"Obviously we're happy and content, but we want to maintain it," he said of Liverpool's seat at the top of the table. "From January last year, we've shown we can consistently perform and we can win games on a regular basis.
"I think we've shown we're a very attack-minded team, we've got the most goals this calendar year of any Barclays Premier League team and it's a consequence of all the great work the guys have put in on the training field. They're getting their reward for it, and during Christmas too, which is a very nostalgic time for the country.
"People always want to know where a team is at [in the standings] around Christmas Day, which is great for us because we want to be top, and we are. But, we want to be there at the end of the season too."
Rodgers highlighted the progress Liverpool have made under his tutelage, and encouraged supporters to soak up the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the club's form.
"It's brilliant for the supporters, and no-one can deny the Liverpool supporters from dreaming. It's nice for us all to dream," he said.
"It's been a hard period at this club for four or five years, during which this was probably a distant thought for them. So for us to be all focused and united as one from the supporters, to the team, to the city - it's brilliant, and they have to enjoy it.
"For me as the manager, my focus and concentration has always been well beyond the next game and making sure the team is prepared; that our mentality and attitude is correct. That has served us well here as I've seen us grow from where we were 18 months ago, to where we are now, and I won't change that.
"Strategically, we've got to keep pushing the club forward. We know where we want to be and we've got to keep working on that. We can't be complacent, and we won't be. We haven't done anything yet, we're top at Christmas which is great, but we have to continue with that for the second part of the season."
There are two immediate hurdles standing in the Reds' way as they attempt to continue their scintillating form.
An away trip to Manchester City on Boxing Day is followed up by an equally daunting visit to Stamford Bridge to tackle Chelsea.
The double test has not been made easier by Liverpool's injury problems, but Rodgers is confident that the squad will welcome the challenge.
"We'll probably learn more about the squad," said the gaffer. "I know what the team can do, and we've all seen what the team can do. We've heard about all the injuries, but we will still approach the games with the same charisma and aggression to play, and the same intensity to work like animals without the ball."
Man City have won all eight of their home games so far this season and have netted the most goals in the league with 51.
Rodgers is fully aware of the threat Manuel Pellegrini's side pose at the Etihad Stadium, but he is greatly relishing the battle of attacking wits.
"We know it's a tough place to go this year," he said. "Manchester City haven't lost at home and we've won every game at home bar one, so they obviously have confidence at home like us. They score goals, but they also concede goals so it makes for a really good game.
"Our focus is on this game and this game only, and we know our possession level is really high at the moment, so we're looking forward to it."
When asked whether Liverpool would be the team to break the Blues' impeccable home record, Rodgers responded: "It's just going to be a team that goes there and has the bravery to play and get that wee bit of luck when you need it.
"We were better than Man City in both games last season, which we should have won home and away, but we made mistakes that cost us and ended up drawing both the games. So they know as well that we're a really good team. We'll arrive there in a good moment, our confidence is high, everyone can see the bravery of our players and their courage.
"Man City is a squad that has been built to challenge for every trophy in the world, not just here in the Premier League.
"So we understand the size of the task, but we've shown to be the best team over the past 17 weeks, and we know that this is a great opportunity for us to push on."