Henderson says Reds travel to City full of confidence

Past experiences mean Liverpool can go to the Etihad confident of coming away with all three points, according to Jordan Henderson.

The Reds travel to the home of the champions looking to build on their opening-day success against Southampton, and the England midfielder says his side should take heart from the positive displays they showed in the corresponding fixtures last season.

In December 2013 Liverpool started well and took the lead at the Etihad through Philippe Coutinho, although they eventually lost out to goals from Vincent Kompany and Alvaro Negredo. 

However, Brendan Rodgers' side did dramatically beat City 3-2 at Anfield in April 2014 as they chased their first ever Premier League title.

And Henderson insists they will use the positives from both encounters and travel to Manchester without fear.

"We're always confident," the midfielder told Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood ahead of the encounter between last season's top two sides.

"With how far we have come and the progression we have shown, we can be confident against any side and that will be no different. We'll approach the game as we do every week, full of confidence and going there wanting to win.

"They have quality players throughout their squad. We'll go there and look to do the same thing as we did last time in our performance, but hopefully get a better result.

"They got a good result last weekend against Newcastle, so it will be a difficult game. But in both games last year, I felt we did really well in our performances.

"We won at home with a great result, but unfortunately were beaten away, which I didn't think we deserved. Hopefully we can go there this time and get a better result."

Liverpool eventually lost the title race to Manchester City as defeat against Chelsea and a draw at Crystal Palace meant they surrendered their lead at the summit of the table - and missed out by two points.

And Henderson added that with such fine margins likely again, the result at the Etihad could be pivotal – despite it coming in only the second week of the season.

"Results are just as crucial whether it's the first game of the season or the last,” he continued.

"You've got to take every game as part of a title challenge and try to push to win the league. Every game is just as important as the other.

"In the first game of the season it's important to make sure you get the three points, but the second game is just as important to keep it going.

"And it's a big game. Manchester City will have a lot of confidence so it will be a tough game for us but one that we relish and look forward to. We'll be raring to go."