Liverpool gear up for City clash

‘Pressure, what pressure?’ was the mantra as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers shrugged off the strain of hunting down the club’s first league title in 24 years ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash with Manchester City.

Liverpool faces a decisive test of their credentials when they welcome City to Anfield in a match that could decide the destination of the Premier League trophy, but Rodgers said on Friday he is not losing any sleep.

His league leaders can increase their advantage over their rivals in third to seven points, albeit with City having two games in hand, and that is enough to leave him feeling excited, rather than under the cosh.

"People talk about pressure but for us it's excitement," Rodgers, who was named Premier League Manager of the Month for March on Friday, told a news conference.

"I'm sleeping well. This is what we work for as coaches and managers. It gives me great joy to see how the players have embraced the ideas.

"It's vitally important we stay calm against City. We showed that at West Ham last weekend.

"The beauty for us is this game is at Anfield. It's a special place. We will unleash our supporters."

Liverpool hold their Premier League destiny in their own hands and know that five consecutive wins from their remaining matches will be enough to land a first top-flight crown since 1990.

Last Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham was Liverpool's ninth on the spin and moved them to 74 points from 33 games.