Reds can ‘rise to the occasion’

AS the race for the

Premier League title draws to an end, much hype has erupted around the all English, Liverpool FC and Manchester City tie in

Wednesday night’s

Uefa Champions

League first-leg, quarter-final at Anfield.

While Liverpool came from behind against Crystal Palace to advance their hopes of Champions League football next season, the Cityzens secured yet another three points last weekend as they eased past Everton in a 3-1 victory at Goodison Park.

Pep Guardiola’s side now lie one win away from Premier League silverware, with the opportunity to secure the title in an enthralling fixture at the Etihad Stadium against neighbouring rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

Wigan Athletic sunk the Cityzens’ hopes of the quadruple in the fifth round of the FA Cup in February, and there is no doubt that an in-form Merseyside Reds may nudge past them into the top four of the Champions League.

Liverpool’s number 11 and danger man, Mohamed Salah, pictured, is this season’s top goal-scorer with 29 goals, and the fact that Juergen Klopp’s men are the only team to have beaten City in the league this season poses quite the threat to their Champions League aspirations.

Klopp has admitted that Liverpool are the underdogs when squaring up to Guardiola’s side in tonight’s fixture.

However, Liverpool’s only shot at silverware this season resides in the Champions League. The Reds boss is more than confident that his side can rise to the occasion and provide an entertaining quarter-final clash.

The game kicks off at 8.40pm on SuperSport3.