Henderson: We're here on merit, so let's rise to the occasion

Jürgen Klopp’s side will contest the first leg of the mouthwatering quarter-final encounter at Anfield this evening and, while City may be on the brink of sealing the Premier League title after an incredible campaign, the captain insists any talk of who are the favourites to progress isn’t being paid any attention within the dressing room.

Henderson wrote in ‘This is Anfield’: “As the gaffer said at the time of the draw, the only relevant factor about facing a fellow Premier League side is that we know a little more about each other. We’ve played each other twice this season in domestic competition and being in the same country means you’ll always follow them and their players closer than a European side.

“We’ve won one and lost one of those two meetings this season, but neither will have any kind of bearing on this tie. Many have pointed out that our win over them at Anfield in January is proof we can do the job again, but while it was a great result for us at the time it counts for nothing going into these two legs. The same for their win against us at the Etihad back in September. They will know that and we do too.

“The reality for us is that we are facing a world-class side coached by a world-class manager. But we haven’t won a raffle to be at this stage, we’ve earned it. We’re here on merit and we face City as equals. They’ll have as much respect for us as we have for them. But it’s respect, not fear. I look at it as being a fantastic tie that the whole world will be interested in. These are the sorts of games as players that make all the hard work and sacrifice worth it.

“I’m sure there will be lots of talk of who is the favourite and who the pressure and expectation is on. For us as players, none of that really matters. Every player in our dressing room believes in ourselves and expects to win. There’s no external pressure greater than what we place on ourselves. It will be the same for City. It’s not a question of wanting it more, or who expects to be successful and achieve – they’ll want it as much as we will.

“Occasions like this are decided by who performs best over the two legs and who makes the most of the decisive moments. The team that takes their chances will stand the best chance of reaching the semi-finals.”

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