Manchester City must play like the “brilliant champions” they are to beat Liverpool at Anfield, claims Manchester United legend Roy Keane.
City visit Liverpool on Sunday (4.30pm) looking to close the gap on their opponents at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool are currently six points clear of City, who are fourth following wins on Saturday for Leicester and Chelsea.
Keane knows how tough a place Anfield is to go for visiting players following his long career at rivals United.
However, he says City must step up and perform to the level they have shown during their back-to-back title wins.
“It’s one of the toughest places to come, even when I played against Liverpool when they weren’t as strong as they are now,” Keane said on Sky Sports.
“We knew it was always one of the toughest games of the season because, I suppose what’s just been mentioned when we were talking about supporters.
“The supporters do, and I know the saying ‘you’ve never seen the supporters make a tackle or score a goal’, but they do have a huge effect on their own team and obviously the opposition.
“So certainly one of the toughest places I’ve experienced to come and get a result.
“But City have proven to be brilliant champions and they’ll need to show that today if they’re going to get a result.”
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was a doubt for the match due to injury, with star centre-back Aymeric Laporte still out with a knee injury.
And Keane reckons it is a great chance for Liverpool to put a marker down on their hunt for a first Premier League title.
“If you’re in Liverpool’s mind set today, it’s like a heavyweight boxer,” the Irishman added.
“If you want to be the best, you do at some stage have to beat the best.
“Liverpool didn’t do it last year in the two league games but with the one or two problems City have got – goalkeeper, obviously centre-half injuries – Liverpool have got to smell blood today and go for it.
“That’s why I suppose we’re so excited about the game.”
