Wolves have enjoyed memorable FA Cup moments against the Reds during the past decade, but despite the game coming in the middle of a very busy period for his side, and with two fewer days to prepare than their opponents, Lopetegui insists his players will be fully focused on achieving their aim of progressing in the competition.
On focusing on Anfield
“Our focus is on tomorrow’s match in the FA Cup. It’s a very important competition in England. We know that Liverpool have had two days more than us to prepare the match and to be rested, and we also have one other match in three days in Carabao Cup.
“But we have to assess this situation to be able to do a good match against a fantastic team tomorrow, for me, one of the best teams in the world.
On importance of FA Cup
“The cup in Spain is a big tournament too, but maybe the meaning that the FA Cup has in England is going to be a little bit different because of the history of this cup.
“I have to enjoy this environment tomorrow, but in the same way, we want to enjoy and win a good match. We are going to try to be ready to convince the players that despite all the difficulties that we have, we will be ready to be competitive tomorrow.”
A Ruben Neves @EmiratesFACup special against Liverpool.
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 6, 2023
🏆🚀 pic.twitter.com/qVjagBsMnA
On FA Cup aims
“We have a big vision for this cup. In the same way, we are thinking and working in the best way, knowing that we have played a very hard match two days ago.
“For today, maybe we can’t work normally because a lot of players have to recuperate, but tomorrow we are going to be ready to try and beat a fantastic team in Liverpool, one of the best teams in the world, who have an incredible squad and a fantastic coach, so it’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
On having fewer days to prepare
“Sometimes because it’s different in the league, sometimes you play one day more or one day less and in the end it balances, but in the cup, you don’t have second chances. It’s unbalanced.
“But it’s not our responsibility [to schedule matches], our responsibility is to give a good answer tomorrow and knowing that this is the reality of the situation.”
On preparing for a cup game compared to league
“More or less it’s the same and we have one idea, but we have to know more about the players and how they are and knowing we have to choose the best line-up for tomorrow.
“We have to analyse all this and we are going to make the last decision, maybe tomorrow you will see, but of course it is more difficult. But above all, the other team has the same way so you are balanced.
“We have to be ready for tomorrow because we have a big vision and despite all these situations, we have to prepare this game as good as we can.”
On almost 6,000 Wolves fans heading to Anfield
“This is why it’s important. This is where the extra strengths for us and energy for us comes from because we want to try and give back to all the fans and make it a good match, and in the end, trying to get our aim, which is to continue in the FA Cup
“It’s going to be a very hard task, but we’re going to try our best.”
