Steve Cooper has vowed Nottingham Forest will take on Liverpool 'with confidence' and believes the game is a reminder of why the club were so desperate to get back in the top-flight.
Forest host Liverpool at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon in a repeat of their first home fixture in the Premier League in 1992. Teddy Sheringham’s goal was the difference between the two clubs on that day.
Liverpool come into the game on the back of two successive victories over Manchester City and West Ham United. While Cooper’s side drew 0-0 with Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday night.
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And although the Welshman is under no illusions that his team face a difficult test this weekend, Cooper has revealed they are more 'determined and more motivated than ever' to get a result.
“There might not be that many weaknesses, but at the same time, you’ve got to go into these games really backing yourself and really thinking you can make a difference - both as a player and with the plan,” he said via Nottingham Live.
“We’re at home, in our stadium, with the support we get. We’re not going to go into the game fearing it and in awe of Liverpool.
“We respect one of the real powerhouses of the league, and any day you play them is as tough as it can get - particularly if they’re on their game.
“They are one of the biggest threats in the league. Amazing club, great manager, great players. I don't pay any attention to if there is ever a good or bad time to play them. We have to be almost perfect in all parts of our game to play well. But why not?
“We will analyse them, like we analyse every opponent, while trying to have an impact on the game with our ideas. A bit of good momentum, a good start, a bit of luck, who knows?
“We’ll be going into the game with confidence. We know results are nowhere near where we want them or where they should be, but the spirit is strong and the togetherness is strong.
“We don’t look like a set of players and staff that have had poor results - because that can easily happen when you’ve had some harsh defeats. We’re actually really determined and more motivated than ever.
“I think you saw a good side of that at Brighton. We’ve got to keep building on that while trying to improve with the ball and improve all areas of our game. This is a brilliant football challenge, and one we are committed to.”
Liverpool is a club Cooper knows well as he worked as a youth coach there for six years and is looking forward to coming up against Jurgen Klopp again, having gone toe-to-toe in last season’s FA Cup quarter-final.
“I have massive respect and admiration for him, I do for every manager, it’s a unique role, Jurgen is miles more experienced than me in terms of years in the job and games, then you look at his success,” he said.
“I know Liverpool fairly well because I spent time there as a younger coach, there are high demands.
“He has had great success so we are looking forward to coming up against one of his teams. In the end when it comes to the matchday we have to be more focused on ourselves.”
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