COLIN PASCOE insists Liverpool have got both the belief and the ability to beat champions Manchester City at the Etihad tomorrow.

The Reds have yet to claim a major Premier League scalp this season with their eight games against top six clubs yielding just four points.

Liverpool let slip a 2-0 lead in the midweek draw at Arsenal, but the assistant boss rubbished suggestions they suffer from an inferiority complex when they come up against the teams they’re chasing.

“I don’t think there’s a lack of belief,” Pascoe said. “Look at the way we have performed against those sides near the top. We could easily have got more points from those matches.

“It was the same on Wednesday against Arsenal. It was a fantastic performance.

“When Arsenal get up a head of steam they are tough to stop but at 2-2 we got to grips with it and could have sneaked it at the death. There were good signs going into Sunday’s game and we’re looking forward to it.”

City have lost just one of their last 41 home league games and since defeat at Sunderland on Boxing Day, they have won six and drawn one of their past seven matches in all competitions.

However, Pascoe says Liverpool will take heart from the manner in which they outplayed City at Anfield back in August. Brendan Rodgers’ side were 2-1 up before Martin Skrtel’s late backpass allowed Carlos Tevez to secure a point.

“We should have beaten them that day,” Pascoe added. “It will be tough playing the champions but the way we played against them at home will give us confidence.

“Look at the games against the likes of Chelsea, Spurs, United and City. We should have got something at Old Trafford and at Tottenham. Then there was Everton away when a decision at the end didn’t go our way.”

Rodgers was scathing in his criticism of the club's young players after Liverpool’s FA Cup exit at Oldham last weekend but Pascoe says the manager’s words have had the desired impact.

“When a manager comes out and says those things you want a reaction and the lads have produced that,” he said.

“They have been superb in training. The ones who Brendan spoke about have been working even harder than normal."