Former Cardiff City star loan star Marko Grujic has lifted the lid on life under Neil Warnock - and warned parent club Liverpool that they will be in for a tough shift on Sunday afternoon.
Grujic spent a portion of last season on loan in South Wales, helping the Bluebirds gain promotion to the Premier League.
Cardiff were keen to bring the Serbian back to the Welsh capital but the midfielder opted for the Bundesliga and Hertha Berlin.
Grujic has told the Reds they will be in for a battle today - with plenty at stake for both sides.
"Liverpool will know what is to come,” Grujic told Goal . “It will be a direct style, some long balls and then pressing to try and attack the second ball in the opponents’ half. They rarely change.
“Some people criticise Neil Warnock because of the way his teams play. He’s seen as someone who plays only long-ball football or a direct style, but he always has a clear plan. And most of the time, it works.
“It’s about security. He doesn’t want to lose many balls in the middle, he wants to play long and then to press high and win the ball closer to the goal. That’s what Cardiff will do on Sunday.”
The 23-year-old revealed what it was like to play under Warnock - and told the story of his first meeting with the veteran boss.
“It was a good experience for me to work under him,” he said. “He’s really popular with the players, a very funny guy who knows how to motivate people.
“For me, I needed someone like him at that point in my career. Before every game, he focuses a lot on defending and that’s how I look at football as well. If you defend well, then you will always have a chance even against a good team.
“My first meetings before I signed, he was very funny. I met him in the stadium and he told me I was bigger than I sounded on the phone! He spoke a lot with me and my father as well, and told me immediately that I would play. He’s a direct guy, says what he thinks.
“What he did with us in the Championship was great. We were not expected to get promoted but he got us playing to a specific style and it worked.
“And then look at this season. Look at a team like Fulham, who spent much more money than Cardiff but got nothing to show for it.
“Cardiff still have a chance to stay in the league, and I am really hoping they can do so because it’s a great club and I really enjoyed my time there. I will be interested to see the result.”
Liverpool are gunning for their first title in 29 years, while Cardiff are in a battle with Brighton to remain in the Premier League.
