Brendan Rodgers has urged Liverpool's supporters to recreate the incredible atmosphere they produced in midweek on the day that the Reds attempt to vault into first place in the division.

As the team's short coach trip to Anfield neared a conclusion on Wednesday, the players and staff were welcomed by a dose of inspiration the like of which they had never previously witnessed.

Fans lined the streets, waving a plethora of flags and banners, bellowing songs of adulation for the side they love and whipped up a frenzied mood ahead of a late kick-off against Sunderland.

Once the action actually got underway, the noise continued, providing a metaphorical injection of confidence as the home side weathered a late comeback to narrowly see off the Black Cats 2-1.

That victory, coupled with other Barclays Premier League results on Saturday, has laid the foundation for Rodgers' team to leapfrog Chelsea and reach the summit if they can overcome Tottenham Hotspur.

Ahead of the encounter on Sunday, the manager issued two requests: that Kopites can generate another electric buzz in L4 and the players utilise the support to the maximum possible effect.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: "Anfield is a real cauldron of an arena and with that army of supporters behind us, it gives us huge motivation to go on and win the game.

"Hopefully, we get that support again. We've got to take full advantage of that. It was amazing the other night, driving into the stadium and seeing all the flags, the banners and the vocal support.

"It is really inspiring. If we can get the same this weekend, then make the ground as noisy as we can, then hopefully we can roar the players on to another victory."

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Rodgers' overriding message as the Reds enter their final seven games of a pulsating campaign is one of calmness, maintaining tunnel vision focus on only the next 90 minutes.

But, with his side firmly in contention at the top of the table, this must be a situation that the manager dreamed of when he took the maiden steps in his career as a coach?

"It's why we work hard and work well," said the Northern Irishman. "You get many experiences in football, but when you work for a club of the magnitude of Liverpool, you want to be up there challenging.

"It has been a really exciting year so far; we're quite relaxed, but focused on the job in hand. We've got 21 points to play for, but you can only win three at a time.

"Our focus will always just be on the next three - that's how we approach the game. It's a wonderful time to be a supporter; hopefully, they are enjoying the football.

"There might be a few up and down moments between now and the end of the season, but their support will be vital for us."