Masch's City mission

Javier Mascherano believes Liverpool must adopt a 'clever' approach in order to end Manchester City's unbeaten home record on Sunday.

Following Thursday's victory over Unirea Urziceni, the Reds resume Barclays Premier League duties this weekend by travelling to Eastlands - and Mascherano insists Rafael Benitez's side will have to be at their tactical best to overcome the Citizens.

"We have a very important game on Sunday so we will try to keep focus from now until Sunday on the Premier League and then we will think about the Europa League," he said.

"We are one point behind them and some teams are very close to us so it's important to get the three points.

"We have to win but we cannot lose our heads. We have to go there thinking about winning but we have to play a very good game from the beginning.

"Obviously when you want to win you have to go forward but you have to be careful about the counter attack because they have some very good players so we have to be clever.

"I think from the arrival of Roberto Mancini has improved them a lot. They won a lot of games in a row, then they lost some points but at the end (of the season), it is positive for them so maybe they will be more organised, more clinical and more direct so we will see."

Liverpool are one point and place behind fellow top four hopefuls City, but Mascherano reckons the outcome of Sunday's contest will not be decisive in determining who secures Champions League football.

He added: "I think it's an important game but if any team lost, nothing will happen. There are still a lot of games to play so it will be an important game but it will decide nothing."

Mascherano's compatriot Carlos Tevez is City's top scorer so far this term, having helped himself to 19 goals in all competitions.

However, the forward was allowed to return to Argentina this week due to family reasons and could miss Sunday's clash.

Nonetheless, Mascherano has warned Roberto Mancini's side have plenty in reserve to cope in the potential absence of Tevez.

"I don't know if Carlos will play or not," he said. "He is a really good player but Manchester City have a lot of really good players so if he doesn't play, they will use a player who will try to do the same as him.

"They are a top side with some really good players. I think it will be a really important game and will be a good game to watch for the people."

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