Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed the forward is the only injury worry his side will have to deal with heading into Friday night’s clash, as he spoke about the challenge Jurgen Klopp’s men pose.
On Liverpool
“It’s a good game, a big challenge for us. We are ok, we are prepared, now we are going to play tomorrow.
“They are on top of the league, that says a lot. We’re going to face one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, but we look forward to it.
“We will require a lot, it’s a big challenge against a fantastic team, with fantastic players and a fantastic manager – what a game.
“I think everybody can see what Klopp is doing and the way Liverpool plays, and what they are building and achieving. It’s amazing, so it’s going to be tough.”
On relevance of previous meetings
“Honestly, I don’t think so. I wasn’t here, but I think we have enough resources to see and analyse Liverpool well. You can see all the matches, you can go there and see.
“Of course, individual experience in such a game can be important, and can add a detail that can change a reality, so it’s helpful.”
On availability of players
“We are ok. We are sure of Diogo [Jota], he is not an option for tomorrow. Let’s see, but tomorrow it’s impossible. He has an injury and hopefully he’s going to be back soon.
“All the players are options and we will prepare for it and we will compete to the maximum of our efforts and beliefs, trying everything that we can.”
On team’s resilience
“There’s no other way. I truly believe that the team spirit, the way we feel, the way we think as a team, is what can push us forward and enable us to achieve the things we want to as a team – always as a team.
“That will never go away from us. The way we work, the way we believe, the way we stay on track, the way we support each other as a group.
“When we have a bad moment and get out of it the way we did it – credit to the players – it makes us all proud because we solved it.
“It doesn’t mean that it can’t happen again, but that we are ready.”
