Jose: Searing start can revitalise Reds
Jose Enrique has called on his Liverpool teammates to swamp West Bromwich Albion with a wave of sustained early pressure at Anfield today in order to claim a win that could help kick-start their season.
The Spaniard echoed the sentiments of his manager, Brendan Rodgers, regarding the Reds' approach play and a certain lack of intensity shown in recent weeks, particularly during the crucial opening exchanges of matches.
Enrique has recently recovered from a knee injury, which flared up in October 2013 and kept him sidelined until a substitute appearance in the Reds' 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in August this year.
Despite his injury, the 28-year-old watched from close quarters as his teammates made a habit of storming past teams by dominating from the off at Anfield during the second half of the 2013-14 campaign.
Enrique knows first-hand from his Newcastle days how opposition sides can be on the back foot before a ball has been kicked at Anfield - and he's demanding the Reds overwhelm the Baggies with an early show of strength today.
"It's important for us now to get a win at Anfield," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "There are so many games still to play and we are not far away from the Champions League in terms of points.
"We have to just try and get back to the way we were playing last season, at Anfield and away from home as well. At home, we have to make teams scared like we did last season.
"Last year, when any team came to Anfield, you could see from the start they were already scared before they kicked a ball. We pressed high and we pressed together and we have to try to do that again. I think that's vital in any game.
"I know, because I've played for another club [against Liverpool] before, that when you play at Anfield, at the start, the stadium can be a little bit scary sometimes for the opponents. You go there and you get a little bit nervous.
"But if we let the opposition play and let them feel comfortable, they will have belief and they will think, 'we can beat them'. So we need to make teams scared. We scored so many goals last season in the first 20 minutes and that's what we must get back to."
West Brom boss Alan Irvine endured a testing start to his Baggies tenure after departing Everton's Academy to take up the reins at the Hawthorns in the summer; however, his side's form has improved over the last two weeks.
Confidence instilled by a first win of the season - a 1-0 triumph over Spurs at White Hart Lane - was there for all to see as Burnley were then demolished 4-0 in the Midlands last time around.
Enrique, therefore, is expecting a tough test against a side who have won three out of their last five league encounters with Liverpool, losing just once to the Reds in that time.
"West Brom will be like any other Premier League game," said the Reds' No.3. "It's going to be a difficult game, we'll have to fight in the game, we have to be ready for the battle. We'll give 100 per cent.
"They have won their last two [league] games, but I think it's good for us to play at Anfield before the international break and hopefully we can get a win.
"We have a few players who are out with injuries, who will return [during the break]. That will make it more difficult for the manager, but it's better for us because we have more choices.
"Hopefully we can start to turn things round from today because the sooner we can, the better, because there are so many good teams in the Premier League."