'We go out to own the pitch at Anfield'
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has explained how his players have learned to thrive on the sense of pride that comes with defending Anfield's reputation.
The Reds have turned back the clock on home turf this season, winning 11 out of 13 games in the Barclays Premier League and hitting an impressive 38 goals in front of the Kop.
Fans have been treated to a consistently high level of performance, with a regular barrage of goals to match, and only Aston Villa and Southampton have departed L4 with points.
Ahead of their latest turn to play hosts, on this occasion to Swansea City this Sunday, Rodgers explained how he has drilled it into his players that they have a responsibility to uphold standards.
An intensity is required when they take to the field at Anfield, he insisted, and the objective is to lay down a marker in any game, dominating the opposition from the first whistle until the last.
"Our approach is very aggressive," he told reporters gathered at Melwood today. "We go into every game, and in particular our home games, looking to own the pitch.
"It's our home ground. It's our changing rooms, it's our field and it's our supporters. So we have to play like we own it.
"That's always been the mantra here for many, many years. It's one that we go in thinking about ourselves. We respect the opponent that we play - every game at this level is tough. But we back ourselves now and we expect to win.
"I think it's dealing with that pressure, which has really helped. We've got good organisation. Everyone knows their function in the team and everyone is working tirelessly in order to achieve the results."
Liverpool will be keen to keep spirits high on the Kop when they face Swansea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with a desire to retain their position within the top four.
A repeat of last year's 5-0 victory over the Welsh outfit would not be wholly out of character for a Reds outfit that has hit four or more on five occasions at Anfield this season.
The manager believes his side are improving all the time, and that the emphasis on the training pitches is on both individual improvement and ensuring the group as a whole develops a better understanding.
"Part of our philosophy here is about developing individual players," said Rodgers. "We play within a team game and the team is the most important aspect of everything, but it's about what you can do to improve players in every facet of their game.
"That's something that we take great pride in - developing the talent, physically and technically, tactically and mentally.
"There's been that constant improvement of players and that's something that is done on an individual basis and within the constructs of the team as well."