How much are you looking forward to Liverpool this Saturday?
Of course, very much. We have had a good start so far, we know it’s the most biggest and the most difficult league to play in the world and we have performed well in five games – so it is all about trying to hit that performance again on Saturday. Of course, we are all enjoying it, we’re looking forward to the game, we’re looking forward to by far the biggest test this season we’ve had so far – it’s one of the best and biggest teams in the world. The last three years, they have played some of the best football, the most entertaining, forward, thinking, pressing, running and attacking from every angle – it’s very impressive what they [Liverpool] done there, what Klopp has done with his staff and players.
Do you put a marker before or do you reflect, after you play teams such as Liverpool?
I think more afterwards, because we talk about the next game. Massive focus on Oldham Tuesday night, then massive focus on Liverpool then we can win as many games as possible. Of course, we are going into this game with a belief that we can win. We know it’s going to be unbelievably difficult, putting that aside then I am also analysing the league and I also know that the top four are the two Manchester sides along with Liverpool and Chelsea. They are quite a bit ahead of everyone else, so these are not the teams we need to compete against – these are potentially the Champions League winners. But can we get a result? Yes, I think. But over 38 games, it’s impossible to be higher than them, then there’s a lot of money we need to have to challenge Liverpool overtime!
Do you prepare any differently for these sort of games or the same as you would prepare against anybody else?
Exactly the same as any. Of course, what is so impressive with Liverpool is that they are an attacking threat from so many areas. When you are facing some teams, it is mostly crosses or counter-attacking but against Liverpool, they are fantastic at crossing, combining through the middle, counter-attacking high and deep and at offensive set-pieces. Every way they can hit you, they can hit you but we will narrow it down and we will find the most important things that we think we need to match, and hopefully find a door that is a bit open and we can put a foot in.
Do you get a sense of excitement from the players in training?
Yes, excitement is the right word because somebody asked me ‘Is this the biggest game you have faced?’ and I would say no. I have had other games that have been more important than this, even games back in Denmark because those games were more important for me in that moment of time. This game [against Liverpool] is an important game but it is not a play-off final – it is a big game and we are excited about testing ourselves against a top top team in Europe.
What can you ask of the fans on Saturday?
A couple of things. I will ask them to be unbelievably proud and enjoy the moment on Saturday night because some Brentford fans have lived their lives with a lot of misery, and now we’re finally there on the big stage so I really hope they will enjoy the moment. We are singing our Beatles song that we stole from Liverpool, now Liverpool are coming to the bus stop in Hounslow! I hope they are proud and really enjoy the moment, but if they want to get us a result, they need to unbelievably form again – they need to overmatch the performance against Arsenal because they were from a different universe, and that’s what we need from the fans on Saturday. If they do that, I promise we give everything out there on the grass, and then we are hopefully going to have an exciting evening – you never know what is going to happen.
What about Marcus Forss? He must have impressed you on Tuesday?
Very much, so pleased for him. I am so delighted he got his four goals and on top of that, a good performance – he kept pressing, working and good link-up play. He works so hard every day, he’s a young player that a year ago, found his way to being a pro. He was one of the first players in, doing all his work in the gym and preparation before training and it is bits like that that as a coach that you notice, you know what? This young man will have a very fine career, he has a bright future ahead of him.
Is the pressure off or is it on knowing Brentford have to be perfect to get a positive result?
Definitely, the pressure’s off, it’s a different mentality. In the play-off final, it’s massive pressure. In this game, not pressure to win but they can also be that could we get exposed? Do we have too big a respect? There is still to find that right balance and the right arousal level, and that’s part of them to find the right way to do that. We have a balanced squad that is confident and humble, we go into this game with fire in our eyes and the big smile on our face, and play and attack. Probably defend a lot!
Sergi Canos played for Liverpool briefly. Do you think he might have a small point to prove in this game?
Good question. I need to ask him about that, personally I haven’t spoken with him about it. Maybe some of the others have, I will speak with him tomorrow. I think it’s been eight years since he [Sergi] joined Liverpool’s academy and left a few years later. I think for him, to play against Liverpool in the Premier League is a big thing but I hope he just enjoys the occasion.
