We’ll show no mercy at Etihad

we have to go into it with that mindset.

“If we can get a goal they need five so that will be a massive incentive. I know what the manager is like and I doubt he will be telling us to sit back.

“We will be approaching the game in the same way we always do, with a positive mindset, and we are going to have to defend just as well as we did at Anfield.”

If Liverpool could bottle up the Anfield atmosphere to take on their travels there would barely be a ground in Europe which held fears for Klopp’s men. And while the Etihad’s architecture may leak the noise more easily than Liverpool’s fortress, an early goal for City next Tuesday will put the boot on the other foot.

In addition, Liverpool – like City, who tackle Manchester United with the title at stake – have their own derby to negotiate tomorrow lunchtime. And they may have to do so without leading goalscorer Mohamed Salah after he was substituted with a groin strain.

“We know it is going to be just as tough against Manchester City if not tougher at their place but we have to forget about this first leg because we have a massive game at Everton,” said OxladeChamberlain. “It is the derby and you don’t need reminding how big a game that is going to be, especially at Goodison where we are going to have to be right at the races and fully focused to go.

“That game and getting the right result will mean just as much if not more for our fans. It is possibly the biggest game of the season so we’ll recover and go there 100 per cent focused to get the right result.”

Klopp faces a tricky balancing act between resting players for next week while maintaining their grip on the Merseyside derby, in which they are unbeaten since October 2010.

FIGHTING TO THE FINISH: GREAT EUROPEAN COMEBACKS

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Cup Winners’ Cup 1st round LC De Fonds 6 Leixoes 5