ANFIELD NOW A TRIP TO HELL RARING TO GO NOW THAT I AM FIT

Davis: Travelling to face Klopp and Co. is one of the most daunting games in Europe

SOUTHAMPTON star Steven Davis believes Jurgen Klopp has turned Anfield into one of the most daunting away trips in all of Europe.

Liverpool, who host the Saints tomorrow in the Premier League, have lost just one of their last 33 games at home.

The likes of Paris St-germain, Roma, Manchester City and Arsenal have all suffered bloody noses on visits to Merseyside in the past 13 months. Davis – speaking on behalf of Sportpesa, the Official Betting Partner of Southampton FC – offered a rueful “thanks” when reminded of that dark statistic earlier this week.

And he was impressed by the Reds’ front foot performance in Tuesday’s breathless 3-2 Champions League win over PSG.

“Yeah, I saw the second half,” said the Northern Ireland captain, who suspects Klopp’s men are primed to kick on from last season’s charge to the Champions League final.

“Everyone thought they’d be challenging for the league this year,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll also be one of the favourites for the Champions League because of their style of play.

“We all know the quality they’ve got with their recent recruitment.

They’re very strong, but you want to test yourself against the best and ultimately that’s what this will be.”

Asked if Anfield now ranks alongside the Nou Camp, Bernabeu and Allianz Arena as one of Europe’s toughest trips, Davis said: “Yeah, I think so. Even last year, the way Liverpool played, they were one of the most difficult teams we came up against.

“We know we’ll have to be at our best and maybe need a little bit of luck, but we’ll still go into the game with optimism. We want to go there and show our qualities.”

Since Southampton last beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in the League Cup semis 20 months ago, the Saints have struggled for wins against the ‘top six’.

In their last 21 outings against the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, they have lost 16 and drawn five.

Davis said: “We’ve beaten the bigger teams, although we maybe haven’t done it as much as we’d have liked in recent times.

“I do still think we have the quality to cause those teams problems. It’s important you don’t expose yourself too much to the pace Liverpool have.

“It’s all about getting the balance right when you play these sides, but I’m sure we can carry a threat and cause them problems going the other way.

“If results continue to improve, hopefully it’s only a matter of time before we put a run together.”

NORTHERN Ireland captain Steven Davis is “itching” to establish himself as a regular in Mark Hughes’ Southampton side after recovering from an achilles injury.The 33-year-old midfielder, who was sidelined for all but one game of the last four months of last season, has played just 96 minutes this campaign.A substitute appearance in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton was his first league action since April and he’s eager for more minutes in the Saints’ engine room.Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Liverpool, Davis said: “Any player that doesn’t play is always going to be a little bit frustrated, but sometimes you have to be patient.“I’m just itching to get an opportunity and hopefully whenever I get it, I take it.”Davis has been putting in extra gym work and benefited from two Northern Ireland appearances against Bosnia in the Nations League and a 3-0 friendly win over Israel in Belfast.“It was great for me to get a couple of 90 minutes under my belt with Northern Ireland,” said Davis, who scored his 11th international goal against the Israelis.“Obviously there’s good competition for places here at Southampton.”