Ryan Mason previews Liverpool: “We have to be ready to play an intense game”
Sat 29 April 2023, 22:09|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ryan Mason’s consistent message of togetherness is once again at the forefront of his sentiments as we prepare to go to Liverpool on Sunday (4.30pm UK).
Since taking over at the helm for a second time in his career last week, our former midfielder has spoken on several occasions about the importance of the players working hard for each other and earning the support of our fans.
And that desire for unity is evident once more ahead of what promises to be a challenging trip to Anfield, where Jurgen Klopp’s men are unbeaten in eight Premier League games.
“We feel confident that whenever we have the ball against any opposition, we can hurt them because we've got quality players, but at the same time we have to respect who we’re coming up against, be a team, be humble together, work hard for each other and hopefully get a positive result,” said Ryan.
“It’s Anfield, it’s in their stadium and they’re a strong team so we’ll have to be ready to play an intense game and impose our style on it, but it’s a game of football at the end of the day so we have to be ready to fight, work for each other and take care of the things on the pitch.
“Honestly, I think this game is always big, just because of the history of the two football clubs. You understand we’ve got five games left until the end of the season, the game on Sunday is not going to determine the outcome at the end of the season but of course we understand Tottenham and Liverpool at any stage of the season in any circumstances is going to be a big game for the players and fans as well.”
How does Ryan feel about the task of leading the team at Anfield, renowned for being a tough place for any team to go?
“I’ve played there, I know what it’s like, but playing football and coaching in England is special wherever I go because it’s the country that I was born in, the country that I love and I feel like it’s the best country in the world to be involved in football in,” he said. “From a personal point of view, the biggest pride I have is to represent this football club, it’s not going up to compete against anyone else, it’s the fact that I’m here and the fact that I’m trying to help the club as best I can.
“They’ve had an extra day to recover than us (Liverpool won 2-1 at West Ham on Wednesday, 24 hours before our 2-2 home draw with Manchester United) but that’s football. We have to go there, be ready for a fight, be together again and hopefully get a positive result.”
