Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho says the Citizens are going to Liverpool on Sunday to win as they aim to close the gap on their title rival.
Liverpool are six points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and will look to extend their lead further with a victory in Sunday’s game.
But Fernandinho says City will treat the match like any other, by trying to win and is viewing it more as an opportunity to cut the gap on the leaders rather than one where they can remain in touching distance.
“We go there and try to win the game,” the Brazilian said. “The mentality is always try to win the game, as we did [against Atalanta] from the first minute,”Fernadinho said.
Asked if it was a match City cannot afford to lose, he added: “As I say to the lads, with a game like [against Atalanta], if you can’t win, you don’t lose.
“One man down, both keepers went out for different situations. I think that’s the spirit of the lads, for sure.
“As I say, we go there Sunday and try to win the game.”
Fernandinho has played at Anfield on seven occasions as a City player, but has never been on the winning side, with last season’s 0-0 draw the only time he has even come away with a point.
Indeed City have only won once at Liverpool’s home once during the Premier League era – back in 2003.
They will travel to Merseyside with Aymeric Laporte, Leroy Sane, Oleksander Zinchenko and David Silva missing through injury while midfielder Rodri is a major doubt.
And the champions are anxiously sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Ederson, who was taken off at half-time in the Champions League draw at the San Siro with a thigh strain.
The Brazil international is set for tests to see if he can be passed fit for the trip to Merseyside, but Fernandinho says that is not a reason for City to go to the league leaders with any fear.
