First team

BERIZZO: "OUR GAMEPLAN WILL LOOK TO PRESSURE THEM AND MAKE THEM UNCOMFORTABLE"

20/11/2017

The boss highlighted the importance of finishing off chances and not losing the ball in dangerous areas. He also emphasised the need to avoid a "hectic match", which "wouldn't suit us"

Eduardo Berizzo spoke to the media in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, this afternoon, ahead of tomorrow's Champions League fixture with Liverpool. The boss picked out some key elements to the match and the dangers of a Liverpool side who will punish losing the ball in bad areas.

Asked about the match at Anfield, he said "it was a game of quick transitions, where they made us struggle with that speed after taking advantage of us losing the ball... They caught us off guard and that's what we have to keep in mind tomorrow. One of the keys is the use of the ball and have dynamism in our attacks. We need careful and accurate build-up play when we have the ball and have to make sure we lose it as high up the field as possible. We also need to finish off our chances".

"We have to avoid losing the ball poorly because Liverpool will make you pay"

The boss wouldn't reveal if he would keep the same starting eleven as in the match against Celta. He said that in Monday's training "we compared everybody and tomorrow we will decide. We could change or continue with the side we played on Saturday. It's going to be a very demanding game, very tiring and there will be a lot of pressure for us... Our gameplan will have a lot to do with pressing them and making them uncomfortable and for that, we need players with energy".

He also indicated that the clash against Liverpool will be a game for Ever Banega and Steven Nzonzi: "Players like Steven or Ever are the controllers of the game, we are a team with a lot of people that run forwards, they are the regulators of our play and tomorrow will it will be important to dictate the speed when we need to, and make combinations when we need to. We have to avoid losing control carelessly to Liverpool because they are a side that will make you pay".

"We have to be calm so that we can choose the right plan and execute it with balance"

Berizzo further commented: "We have a great opportunity to achieve our main objective against a huge opponent. These crucial matches instill both confidence and mental stability, but we need to be clever and not be hasty in our play... That type of match doesn't suit us. We have to be calm so that we can choose the right plan and execute it with balance".

Finally, asked about the incredible form of Mohamed Salah, he said: "he's a very fast footballer, very direct, in a position which takes advantage of when there's no one in the centre when Firmino drops deep - a bit like Iago Aspas did this weekend... Salah is very direct, very, very fast and when he gets moving forward he becomes very dangerous... We have to worry about not just him but about our defensive line, about being organised and before then, about using the ball and losing it far away from where Liverpool can win it back and move forwards".