Team news?
No, no real changes to the rest of the players who were injured. We have some hope on one who may be able to train tomorrow but we’ll have to see.
Who's the one?
I’m not going to tell you…
Can you enjoy this run?
We do enjoy it. We have to enjoy it and we really need to embrace the moment and go for it. The team is full of enthusiasm and positivity. We know that we have a big challenge but it is a big opportunity to go to Anfield and do something we haven’t done in many years and that is what is driving the team the last few days.
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Will you be doing anything special like playing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' this time?
For us it is something normal. For every game we prepare a different way. We prepare the context, we prepare the team mentally, we prepare the scenario we are going to be playing in and that day we decided to do that.
What happened in your clash with Klopp last year?
That’s football. It happens in football and after that we hugged each other and moved on. The last time we were together nothing happened. I have full respect and admiration for what they’ve done. We’ve moved on.
Will you approach it differently this time?
I don’t know. I would have to be in the situation again. I reacted to defend our players the best possible way but I don’t like seeing myself like this so hopefully not.
You were in the team last time you won at Arfield. Have you used that and what are your memories?
We have been at a few grounds we haven’t won at in 17, 22 and 18 years but we have managed to do that. We are capable of doing it. We know we are going to have to be at our very best to win the game and certainly better than we were there last year when we just opened up and allowed Liverpool to attack open spaces in a really comfortable way.
What was it like to win there?
Great because before that it was many years we hadn’t it again. We did it once more, I think the year before, when Van Persie scored in the 95th minute. So I have some beautiful memories. It is an incredible stadium to play at and a unique experience for any player or manager.
How surprised are you at where Liverpool are in the table?
More admiration as it shows the difficulty in being at the top and transforming a football club. Their identity, their beliefs and the competitive capacity for the last six or seven years. It shows how difficult it is to sustain that. We all have difficult moments but what they have done at their club is something remarkable.
What did you take from Liverpool's 7-0 win over Man United at Anfield?
For expected goals in the league they are the best so things are happening that are costing them points for sure. But at home you see a different kind of team and we know how it is to play for so we have prepared for that - expecting the best possible Liverpool and us being the best that we can be. If we do that we will have a chance to win the game.
Is Trossard's hat-trick at Brighton earlier this season a boost?
It’s great to have a player who has experienced something really nice and positive at that stadium. He was a crucial player that day and it was a beautiful game to watch. That’s what we need, a lot of players on the pitch with belief that we can go there and win.
What makes Anfield so difficult?
They are a great team managed by a top manager and they create an incredible atmosphere that makes it very difficult for any opponent. It is the same to come to the Emirates. It’s very, very difficult so we know that and the opportunity is there ahead of us in Sunday. Something we have done in the last two or three years is to win in places that the team didn’t do for many years.
What’s changed for Xhaka with the goals?
It clicked. Mentality. Feeling capable of doing it, understanding where he needs to be positioned in the right moments, training every single day willing to improve and support the team in the areas that we felt was necessary for the team to take another step forward in our way of playing.
What have you made of Ben White this season after being left out of the England squad?
I’m extremely happy with him. He’s adapted to the position really well. The way they flow, the way they play together with a few players and the way they link up has been great. He’ll have other opportunities for sure.
The Under-18s reached the cup final. What does that say about the club?
Great for the club. That’s what we want, being on the front foot in every competition and having the chance to win prizes. What the women have done is remarkable, what Jack and the coaching staff did at the end was so inspirational with the way they did it at the end. So happy because it’s very positive for the club.
Is Saka back?
He's fine, yeah.
Know your relationship with Pep but is Klopp an inspiration too?
For sure, coming from abroad, the way he did it, the way he installed that clear identity, values and and the way he transmitted and everybody bought his ideas so early.
He needed some time and then results came up in the best possible way. So yeah, for sure.
Some monkeys off the back this season – another example that you and the team are progressing?
Yes and that's what we have to prove on Sunday - to be able to go there, perform, be emotionally sound and do the right things that we have to in each moment to get away with the result that we want.
You play after Man City again this weekend – do you prefer that or dependant on City result?
That helps but it doesn't matter honestly, we have to focus on what we can do – there is still a lot games to play for and it is going to be a long race.
Klopp has been at Liverpool for eight years. Can you see yourself having that kind of longevity?
I think at a club like this you have to earn the right. He absolutely earned that right with the way that he transformed the club, especially with the way he transformed the club and the results they’ve had and how much they won. You can sustain yourself at this level only if you produce the results that are necessary to continue.
How much will you make the players use what happened last year at Anfield?
There are similarities. The context is different, the teams and the players that are going to be on that pitch is very different. We have to use it in a way that is positive for us and give us belief and energy that we can do it.
You have four attackers in good form – Saka, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard…
And Reiss!
How difficult is it to manage that competition for places in a way that continues to get the best out of them?
It depends on their moment, it depends on what we want to do and the qualities that we’re seeking, and the relationships that there is. When you have five changes you have the ability to change the game. It’s much better to have this problem because at the moment they’re really good.
Will you have a conversation with those who have been left out?
We normally do that. Especially with the players that are the in contention to understand what we needed and why we made that decision. So it’s clarity, when you have the clarity I think the emotional state of the player is much better to go forward against a club and a team that we’re playing on Sunday.
You said the 3-2 earlier in the year was one of your most beautiful moments. Did something click in the team then?
That was a big day for us. A big result, and especially the way we did it at the end after a really good second half performance. It all adds up, it all helps and all gives confidence to the team to go to a different level and believe they can do this against big teams.
You’ve said in the past you can’t go there with fear. Do you think the players were playing with fear before and do you think they’ve got over that now?
First of all it’s a different group coming from a different position. What I see is enthusiasm, positivity and something that you need to have which is courage. On Sunday we’ll try to be that team.
You’ve spoken about being at stage three of five. Does a win at Anfield take you further?
A result doesn’t take you sadly. We wish, because then we could have been through various different phases this season. It would be very helpful though!
Do you think your clash with Klopp riled the home fans up the last time?
Yeah but after that we had the best chance in the game and could have gone 1-0 up. One minute later they have a wide free kick and score. Who knows? I don’t know.
Do you think at Anfield it’s important for everyone to keep their cool?
Yeah.
Have you told the players that?
They know that. They experience that. We know what we have to do. We’ve played in the toughest places. We went to White Hart Lane and did what the team did, the atmosphere doesn’t get much tougher than that.
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