Briscoe: Pressure on Reds
Mansfield winger Louis Briscoe insists all the pressure is on Liverpool ahead of Sunday's FA Cup clash.
Briscoe bagged the winner in last month's replay against Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Lincoln to set up the money-spinning third-round tie against Brendan Rodgers' side.
The 24-year-old, the Stags' joint-longest serving player along with goalkeeper Alan Marriott, believes he and his team-mates can play without fear against the Barclays Premier League giants - even claiming that the club's 2011 FA Trophy final appearance against Darlington was a bigger occasion.
"That was bigger because it was at Wembley," said Briscoe. "It is the biggest game of my career so far.
"That day the pressure was even between the teams and, unfortunately, we didn't turn up and lost 1-0 to a late goal.
"Sunday is definitely a bigger game, but not a bigger occasion. On Sunday there is virtually no pressure on us playing against one of the best, and one of the biggest, teams in the world.
"We are not expected to win. Anything that we do well against Liverpool will be a bonus. We could come off the pitch having lost 5-0 and still be clapped off.
"All the pressure is on them. They are going to want to win the same as us, but they are expected to win. The FA Cup is a massive competition and they are one of the teams looking to lift the trophy.
"They are a huge football club coming to little old Mansfield and it is going to be a tough ride for them."
Briscoe admits the tie being shown on television will provide the Mansfield players with added incentive to perform.
He said: "This is not a pre-season friendly. Like I said, Liverpool will come here wanting - and expecting - to win.
"So they won't take it lightly. Some of their main players will play, that goes without saying.
"But whoever plays, we won't make it easy for them. We are all in the shop window, it is going out live on TV so we want to show the world what we can do.
"It is a chance in a lifetime so you have to grab it with both hands. We have to go out and enjoy it, being part of an amazing occasion."
Mansfield manager Paul Cox, who got married on Friday and celebrates his 41st birthday on match day, will be able to include Ritchie Sutton is his squad after the defender served a one-match suspension on New Year's Day.
Jake Speight is expected to be restored to the starting XI, partnering Matt Green in attack.
The Stags go into the game against the seven-time winners of the competition in good form having lost just one of their last 12 matches, and they will be hoping to evoke memories of their League Cup draw against Liverpool in 1970.
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson insists a trip to Field Mill is something the players will relish rather than view with trepidation.
The Reds have not lost to non-league opposition in the FA Cup since 1959, when they were beaten by Worcester City, and only three times in their entire history.
"It'll be different to what we're used to in the Premier League," Henderson said.
"But you always have different challenges in football. The players look forward to it, it's another opportunity for people to play.
"Everyone looks forward to playing football. People who haven't played may get an opportunity and it is an opportunity for them to stake a claim.
"We'll have to adapt to the situation. I'm sure all the players will have played at small stadiums like that before and it'll be a good atmosphere.
"We will have to go there with the right mentality and do a good job."
In-form striker Luis Suarez could be rested.
New signing Daniel Sturridge will be included in the visitors' squad but may not be match-fit enough to start.
Defender Jose Enrique has been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring problem so Glen Johnson may have to continue to fill in at left-back.
Source: PA
Source: PA