Gunnarsson: Reds are going to Kop some flak

CARDIFF warrior Aron Gunnarsson has warned today’s opponents Liverpool that his team will fight to the bitter end to stay in the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp’s men head to Cardiff knowing only victory will do in the title race — and they are big favourites to take three points.

But a vital win over Brighton in midweek has transformed the atmosphere in Neil Warnock’s squad, just in time for Liverpool’s arrival.

It was Cardiff’s first three points since beating West Ham in March and only their third in the Premier League in 2019. But it’s given hope – and a pile of confidence.

“We have a chance and we will keep fighting to the very end now,” said Icelandic midfielder Gunnarsson.

“That’s just how we are. We are all together and we’re ready for Liverpool, no doubt.

“It was so important to get the three points against Brighton and now we believe we can stay up. We fought hard to get into this league and we’ll fight even harder to stay in this league.”

That’s a speech which should get the hairs standing up on the back of Cardiff fans’ necks, and leave the Reds in no doubt of the battle ahead today.

Playing against a Warnock side they could never really have doubted it.

“The gaffer will have us up for it, that’s for certain,” said Gunnarsson. “But we are more than up for it anyway.

“We have confidence after the result in midweek and the players are buzzing.

“I can promise Liverpool the whole place will be rocking – our fans will be incredible. And I’m looking forward to it.” Cardiff know this match against the Reds is a bit of a free hit, given nobody seems to think they have a hope of a winning.

But Gunnarsson doesn’t see it that way.

“We know what we are up against,” he said. “We know what Liverpool have been about this season.

“They have been solid, they have been creative and they want the title badly.

“We’ll have to have an absolutely 100 per cent game if we are going to get anything. But if we are solid and keep fighting for each other, you never know.

“Yes, we are up against the top team in the league but this is what you play for – to test yourself against the big boys. We really believe we can create some momentum and get something out of it.”

Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge also has a message for the Kop’s titlechasers. He warned: “They’re fighting for the title but we’re fighting for something important too – and at home anything is possible.”