Liverpool midfielder Stewart Downing says they fancy being the first team to beat Manchester City today.

City suffered a morale-sapping Champions League defeat against Napoli in midweek and with Liverpool buoyant having won at Chelsea last weekend, Downing said the squad's confidence is high but their arrogance is not.

"I think we should look forward to it and say 'Why can't we be the first team to beat them?"' he said.

"It's a great incentive for us. Obviously they are coming off a defeat in Napoli so they will be right up for it.

"They are a top team with many, many great players, not just in the 11 but on the bench.

"We are going to have to be right up for it and start well. If we don't they will punish you, which they have shown against the top teams this season."