Waching daily Jan 1 2019

 Spurs had emerged as Liverpool's most likely challengers to Premier League leaders Liverpool after a superb run that saw them leapfrog Manchester City ahead of Saturday's home clash with the newly-promoted Wolves

 However, they lost 3-1 at Wembley, while City beat Southampton by the same scoreline at St Mary's on Sunday to go back up to second in the table

 **PREDICT FIVE RESULTS AND WIN £25,000 - FREE TO PLAY HERE** "Obviously [it boosted us]," Liverpool star Shaqiri said

 "I think everybody when they see some teams struggle, who are behind you and coming after you, it's nice to see obviously

 "But, in the end, we look to ourselves and win our games." Liverpool travel to Manchester City in Thursday night's crunch clash knowing a win would give their title hopes a massive shot in the arm

 They have not won the league title since 1990 but appear to be dealing with the pressure well having won all of their last 10 Premier League matches

 Shaqiri insists they are not getting carried away and says they will play their normal attacking game when they visit the Etihad

 "No, for us we don't go there to take Man City out of the race, we go there for a Premier League game," he said

 "We go there to make a good performance. That's the only goal that we have. There are not other things in our minds at the moment

 "We just have to keep going, to work hard every day in training to win games. I'm sure when we keep going like this we are going to be very successful

 "Of course they're going to come after us and try to win, to grab three points. It's going to be a very interesting game, a good game

 "We're looking forward to this game to go and make a very good performance. We're also confident to try to win the game

" Liverpool are now the bookies' favourites to win the title and Shaqiri insists the squad are dealing with those expectations

 "Pressure is everywhere in your life. Even in football, there is always pressure," the 27-year-old added

 "When you are first in the table everyone comes after you, everyone wants to beat you, so every game is very tough

 "We just have to keep going, to stay at the highest level."

For more infomation >> Liverpool news: Xherdan Shaqiri aims title dig at Tottenham after shock Wolves defeat - Duration: 3:20.

-------------------------------------------

Man City news: Raheem Sterling sends message to Liverpool stars ahead of crunch clash - Duration: 2:39.

 City host Premier League leaders Liverpool on Thursday evening (8pm kick off). The Reds come into the clash on the back of their 5-1 demolition of Arsenal last weekend which sent Jurgen Klopp's men seven points clear

 However, Sterling, who quit Anfield for City in 2014, insists Pep Guardiola's men are ready to end Liverpool's unbeaten run

 "If we can play the way we know we can play, we can beat anyone," Sterling said. **PREDICT FIVE RESULTS AND WIN £25,000 - FREE TO PLAY HERE** "It's going to be a great game and we're all looking forward to it

" City had a wobble in recent weeks, with Guardiola's side losing to Crystal Palace and Leicester in the Premier League

 The former Barcelona boss was even forced to respond to criticism over his tactics, despite his philosophy leading City to the title last season

 Sterling and co bounced back against Southampton on Sunday in a 3-1 win on the south coast

 And the 24-year-old reckons City proved their character to bounce back from consecutive defeats

 "We knew we had to win to give ourselves a chance," Sterling added. "It's a massive step and just what we needed to do

 "We had two poor games and we knew we needed to win. "Our last two results were difficult to take and we bounced back brilliantly

 "We owed it to ourselves and as a team to bring that level we know we can bring. "The last three games we started well and scored the opening goal and then we were sloppy, but our mentality was good against Southampton and we showed a good fighting spirit

 "There was a bit of luck as well, but we played some great football and controlled the game, which we know we can do

 "It's up to us to keep that focus and go on to the next one."