Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says he expects to have to fight fire with fire as his side take on Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
The eagerly anticipated meeting of the title rivals at Anfield is also a clash of the competition’s top two goalscoring teams.
Liverpool have struck 90 goals in their 33 games, with third-placed City having notched 84 from 31.
Some of City’s notable victories have seen them score seven against Norwich City, six against Arsenal and 11 across two games against Tottenham Hotspur.
Last month, they put five past Fulham and beat neighbours Manchester United 3-0 before they hit another four when Southampton visited the Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool have hit form since the turn of the year, and their current run of nine successive wins has yielded 32 goals.
Asked if he was concerned about the attacking threat, Pellegrini said: “It’s exactly the concern Liverpool will have against our team, if they want to be an attacking team – and they are an attacking team.
“But I think we’ve done very well [defensively]. Southampton didn’t have many chances to score. Of course if you defend with 10 players near your box, you are not going to have space for the other team.
“The most important thing about these teams is they play attractive, offensive football. Both teams are very close for this.”
Pellegrini said his side have not received enough credit for their defence in recent months.
City have had problems at the back this season, but they have conceded only twice in their past seven league matches.
Pellegrini said: “I never divide the team in the way I think.
“There is a team with 11 players and the 11 players must know how to defend and the 11 players must know how to attack.
“Both teams have scored a lot of goals during the season, but if we are with Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the table, it is because we also know how to defend.”
City captain Vincent Kompany limped out of training on Saturday, with the club saying the 28-year-old defender came off as a precautionary measure.
Midfielder Jordan Henderson said Liverpool can match City when it comes to quality but his side’s pressing game and home advantage give them the edge.
Brendan Rodgers' side were unlucky to lose 2-1 in their first meeting in December and, on their own turf, Liverpool are an even more fearsome proposition as they have dropped just five points there all season, a home record bettered only by City.
Henderson said a fervent Anfield crowd will spur on the players to make a significant statement against their title rivals.
“We have a lot of young lads in the team with a lot of energy and great work-rate, so I think that has really showed, pressing high up the pitch,” Henderson said.
“Steven Gerrard has been fantastic in the deeper [midfield] role, expressing his passing, and that has been a major point for us. The fans have always been brilliant, but I am sure it will be bouncing again on Sunday and they give us a little advantage.”
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