Anfield will inspire us says Berizzo

LIVERPOOL

V SEVILLA

Sevilla coach Eduardo Berizzo expects his players to be inspired by Anfield but they remain wary of Liverpool’s threat despite their 5-0 drubbing by Manchester City at the weekend.

The Spanish side arrived on Merseyside for their Champions League encounter full of confidence, having had a much better weekend than their opponents after beating Eibar 3-0 to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

But Berizzo is well aware of some of the historic nights Anfield has hosted and he hopes his players will rise to the occasion.

Asked if Anfield was a place to fear, the former Argentina international said: “I think it is the opposite. Players of a certain level and personality grow when they come to a stadium and atmosphere like this. They grow in strength.

“Few times in your career do you get to play in front of an atmosphere like this. I am confident the players in my squad are very brave and honest with lots of character and personality.”

Sevilla’s only previous encounter with Liverpool came in the 2016 Europa League final when they turned around a half-time deficit to win 3-1.

Much has changed since then, particularly for the Andalusian outfit who have a different coach and a number of different players.

One of those, midfielder Guido Pizarro, pictured, insists that result in Basle two years ago has no bearing on this game for either side. “All Idoknowisitistwo teams who will both want to play well. They want the three points just as much as we do,” he said.

“We know they are a squad of top players. The match you referred to is in the past, it is all about how we acquit ourselves tomorrow and not what happened previously.”