Teams underestimate Norwich City - Leon Barnett

Barnett has already played at Chelsea and Manchester United this season

Norwich City defender Leon Barnett thinks they have benefited from teams underestimating them this season.

The Canaries are ninth in the Premier League table and travel to Liverpool on Saturday knowing a two-goal win would see them leapfrog the Reds.

"We want three points just as much as they do. We're probably not going to be a roll over like they think we will be," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"A lot of teams have underestimated us, which has worked in our favour."

Norwich travel to Anfield having won three of their last four games, but 25-year-old Barnett and fellow centre-half Russell Martin will face an in-form Luis Suarez, the striker having scored twice in his last three outings.

"He's one of the best players in the world, but I spoke to Russ, and we can't just concentrate on him," the former West Brom defender explained.

"With Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt there our focus isn't going to be totally on him."

Goalkeeper John Ruddy, a former Everton player, is confident the defensive duo are up to the task of shackling the Liverpool attack.

"I think they've been fantastic, I really do," he said.

"Russ is the model professional. He wasn't in earlier in the season and was a bit disappointed, but he's worked very hard in training to get into a position where he can play.

"It's not his normal position, but he's come in and looked natural there and you know what you get with Barnett, he's an absolute athlete. It's a solid base to build off."

With 11 points from their first eight games, Paul Lambert's side have exceeded early season expectations but are still looking for their first clean sheet of the campaign.

It is an achievement Ruddy is keen to register as early as possible: "It would be really nice to finally get one, I think we've deserved one.

"It's that one thing missing at the moment, but as long as we're winning it doesn't affect me too much."