Henderson: Doing the dirty work gives you the best chance of winning
Jordan Henderson has explained why flawlessly executing the basics gives Liverpool the best chance of securing three points at the expense of Manchester City this afternoon.
The Reds are out to return to winning ways when they come up against the current Premier League leaders at Anfield.
Henderson hopes the reigning champions can recapture the form displayed during last week's victories at Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United – wins earned through discipline, determination and talent.
Writing in his column for the matchday programme, Henderson states: "Today is as much a test of physicality and mentality as it is of talent.
"Winning tackles, headers, individual battles and doing the dirty work will be as important as it is in any game, if not more so.
"There are moments when as a team you know straight away that something has happened in such a way that it couldn't have been done much better.
"We had one of those last weekend with our second goal against West Ham. As soon as Mo's magic ended up with the ball hitting the back of the net, we all knew this was the kind of goal that makes all the hours spent on the training ground feel totally worthwhile.
"As is the way these days, the goal got a lot of attention, all of it positive. Whether it was Trent's trademark switch from right to left, Shaq's incredible first-time ball or Mo's unbelievable touch and finish, a lot of people had a lot of nice things to say about the way we went from one end of the pitch to the other to score a great goal.
"I'm not about to disagree with any of the praise – what the lads did was brilliant – but there was one element that wasn't discussed and I think it should have received more attention because it was crucial in terms of what followed.
"Robbo's header to clear West Ham's corner came during a spell when we were coming under pressure and it immediately put us back on the front foot, starting a counter-attack that showed us at our best.
"There will be those who will say it was only a header and in one sense that is right, but it is only by doing the basics well over and over again that we are able to do the more eye-catching stuff.
"We had the right organisation at the corner, Robbo took responsibility for his area and everyone was alive to the possibilities from the moment he won the ball.
"It doesn't matter what level you play at – it's only by winning your individual battles, doing the nuts and bolts, and being prepared to take responsibility that you give yourselves the best chance of scoring goals and winning games.
"Against Brighton in midweek, we didn't have the balance right. When it mattered most, we were not as organised as we should have been and it cost us what turned out to be a decisive goal.
"On top of that, we struggled on the creative side and the combination of both these things cost us three points.
"The reason I'm highlighting this is today we play Manchester City and the world will be watching, no doubt with high expectations about the quality of football that will be produced."
Henderson continues: "The expectations will be exactly the same in both dressing rooms because the standards that City and ourselves have set in recent years have been incredibly high, but what shouldn't be overlooked is the commitment of both teams to do the basics, starting with work-rate and effort.
"If we're not at it and our intensity isn't at its usual level – which was the case when we played away at City last season – then it's highly likely that we will suffer.
"Other than giving them an added motivation, City's recent record at Anfield counts for nothing.
"It's what happens on the pitch on the day that matters and it's up to us to show that we are willing to put in the hard yards once again if we want to give ourselves the best possible chance of winning what will inevitably be one of our toughest games of the season.
"That's what allowed us to get two great results in our recent victories at Spurs and West Ham and, from afar, it also seems to be what helped City to recover from their own testing start to the season."
