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It was a day which showcased the close bond Brendan Rodgers has fostered within his title-chasing Liverpool FC squad.

The Reds boss took his in-form side away from Melwood earlier this week as preparations began for Sunday’s high-stakes showdown with Manchester City.

Mere Golf Resort and Spa in Knutsford was the destination for a special team building exercise which hit Steven Gerrard , Luis Suarez and Martin Skrtel in the pocket.

“We had a competition about five or six weeks ago on the training field and there were four teams,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“The forfeit for the three losing captains – Steven, Luis and Martin – was to organise and pay for a team day.

“Some players played golf, some played tennis and some just relaxed in the spa. Then we all come together afterwards for a barbecue. It was a wonderful day of social bonding.”

Rodgers believes that sense of camaraderie among his players has been vital to Liverpool’s sustained push for the Premier League crown. They have already surpassed all expectations this term and are driving each other on to greater heights.

“It’s clear the spirit and the togetherness in our camp is very strong,” he said.

“If you want to go somewhere quickly go on your own, if you want to go further then go together.

“That’s what our aim has always been – to go into the distance for long periods. You can only do that as a team.

“I told the players on my first day here that there is no individual who is bigger than the team. I will fight for my life every day to protect that.

“We are very much a team and that’s what has allowed us to progress so quickly.”

There is no escaping the enormity of Sunday’s game. Rodgers has felt the buzz around the city all week.

But there are no nerves within the camp, just a sense of anticipation as Liverpool look to secure a 10th successive league win.

It may not be a title decider but with the Reds’ destiny in their own hands Rodgers knows that claiming the scalp of Manuel Pellegrini’s men would represent a giant step towards ending the club’s 24-year wait for the championship.

“It’s going to be a wonderful game,” Rodgers said. “There is no getting away from its significance but it’s not one we’re daunted by. We’re really excited about it.

“There is a real calmness about the group. We arrive into the game with great confidence and belief. We’ll approach it with the same focus and concentration that has enabled us to win the last nine games.

“If we get the result we want there will still be 12 points to play for and a lot of work still to be done. But there’s no doubt that winning this game would give us that extra bit of belief for those final games.”

Rodgers is full of respect for the job Pellegrini has done at the Etihad but he has warned the Chilean his side will feel the power of Anfield.

Liverpool have a 100% home record against teams in the top seven this season and the manager has issued a battle cry to supporters to crank up the volume as he targets another flying start.

“I’ve spoken to a number of fans this week and it’s great to feel their excitement,” he said.

“There’s a real sense of occasion. We have given them hope this season because of the nature of our work and it’s brilliant for them.

“They are going to be critical for us on Sunday. It’s what has made Anfield such a difficult place to come this season.

“We want them to get there early and we will unleash the supporters on our opponents.

“There’s a different noise now coming out of Anfield. There’s a feeling that something special is happening here. The Reds are definitely marching up the hill, that’s for sure.

“We work and we fight for the millions of supporters both here in the UK and around the world.

“There’s a real sense of the club getting back to where it was. It was interesting to read Kenny Dalglish’s comments this week about how it’s been fantastic watching this team and how it’s like the old Liverpool.

“Our belief is that the best teams start quick and finish strong. That will always be our mantra – to start games with aggression and a real intent.

“City are an outstanding team and they have the best squad of players in this league. They have a first-class manager who has been a credit since coming to this country.

"They’ve had success and they know what it smells like but we will worry more about ourselves. We expect to win every game at Anfield."

A Premier League title race is new territory for Rodgers but the 41-year-old dismisses talk that this is the biggest game of his career.

The Northern Irishman says that will always remain the 2011 Championship play-off final at Wembley when his Swansea side beat Reading. If Rodgers hadn’t led the Welsh outfit into the promised land, he wouldn’t be where he is now.

“No matter whatever I win in the future, the play-off final will always be the biggest game of my life,” he said.

“It’s a life-changer. It’s a game of pressure. It’s worth £90million. It can set a club up for a lifetime or you’ve seen clubs lose in a play-off final and disappear. That can happen to managers and players too.”

Principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner have both flown in from America as Liverpool prepare to mark the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough.

Werner will remain on Merseyside for Tuesday’s memorial service at Anfield but Henry is returning to the States after the City match as Boston prepares to remember the victims of last year’s marathon bombing.

There will be a minute’s silence for the 96 before Sunday’s game which kicks-off at 1.37pm. Fans will hold up a mosaic reading ‘96 25 years’.

A large ‘Patch for the 96’ will be placed in the centre circle prior to kick-off and there will be floral tributes from both Manchester City and Celtic. Rodgers knows it will be a day laced with emotion.

“It’s one where it comes hand in hand with being a player and a manager here,” Rodgers added.

“The 25th anniversary is a significant anniversary. It lets people around the world remember what happened at Hillsborough and the 96. For us, it’s a daily occurrence.

“The families and the 96 are a daily part of our life. Everything we do is in memory of them – that’s something that we always carry with us.

“This weekend is exactly the same. Tributes will be paid as they are at this time every time and we will look to honour that with a performance that the families and the 96 watching on can be proud of.”

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