Henderson: We can be confident at City
The high standard of Liverpool's performance during their previous away meeting with Manchester City gives Jordan Henderson cause for confidence for the latest trip to the Etihad Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers take his team to the home of the Barclays Premier League champions this evening seeking to build positively on a victory against Southampton in the opening match of the season.
In the corresponding fixture of 2013-14, played last December, the Reds were effervescent at the Etihad and took an early lead when Philippe Coutinho tapped home at the back post.
But, despite the travellers' effective attacking football, quick-fire responses through Vincent Kompany and Alvaro Negredo grabbed all three points for Manuel Pellegrini's men.
Having also dramatically beaten City in the reverse fixture in April, Henderson believes he and his teammates can make the short journey on Monday with a genuine sense of optimism.
"We're always confident," the midfielder told Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood ahead of the encounter between last season's top two sides.
"With how far we have come and the progression we have shown, we can be confident against any side and that will be no different. We'll approach the game as we do every week, full of confidence and going there wanting to win.
"They have quality players throughout their squad. We'll go there and look to do the same thing as we did last time in our performance, but hopefully get a better result.
"They got a good result last weekend against Newcastle, so it will be a difficult game. But in both games last year, I felt we did really well in our performances.
"We won at home with a great result, but unfortunately were beaten away, which I didn't think we deserved. Hopefully we can go there this time and get a better result."
Small margins were the difference between City or Liverpool hoisting aloft the Premier League trophy three months ago, with the former ending clear by just two points.
Henderson and his colleagues therefore have a heightened understanding of why every single tie of a campaign is vital to formulating a challenge for success.
The Reds' No.14 reflected: "Results are just as crucial whether it's the first game of the season or the last.
"You've got to take every game as part of a title challenge and try to push to win the league. Every game is just as important as the other.
"In the first game of the season it's important to make sure you get the three points, but the second game is just as important to keep it going.
"And it's a big game. Manchester City will have a lot of confidence so it will be a tough game for us but one that we relish and look forward to. We'll be raring to go."