Sourced from Daily Echo article
Puel: Saints have “nothing to lose”
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Claude Puel says Saints have “nothing to lose” as they take on Liverpool bidding for Wembley in the EFL Cup.
After the recent form of both sides, Puel conceded that Liverpool were strong favourites, not only for tonight’s first leg at St Mary’s but also the return game at Anfield in a fortnight.
Puel has urged Saints to try and make sure they have it all to play for the trip to Merseyside, with Jurgen Klopp having promised he will field his strongest side for tonight’s clash.
Puel, whose team held Liverpool to a goalless draw at St Mary’s in the top flight earlier in the season, said: “We played this game in the Premier League, it was a strong game for us in defensive organisation.
“It was strong work to keep a good level, but I think it will be important also for this game to have a little more the ball and try to have control of the game.
“I know it’s difficult against this team because of their ability to recover the ball together with their strong pressing. Also to keep the ball with technical players and quality and organisation.
“I think we are not favourite for this game and the second half away is difficult also but we have nothing to lose, just to play good level, to take pleasure and to make a result.”
Puel was refusing to look ahead to the prospect of a Wembley final in his first season in charge at St Mary’s, and insisted he would focus only on tonight’s game.
“For the moment it’s just speculation,” he insisted. “It’s important for the moment it’s a semi-final, a good thing and a good answer.
“Since the beginning of this competition we have young players, experienced players, and we use all the squad on this competition.
“It will be fantastic to have a next game after the second round at Liverpool, but for the moment it’s important to keep the good concentration.
“It’s strong work, an exciting challenge but very difficult.
“We have to take pleasure and try to make this experience. It’s not possible at the moment to think about this final.”
Saints come into the game on poor form, having lost three top flight matches in six days over the festive period, before being held to an FA Cup third round draw at Championship side Norwich.
However, Puel does not think that has to be a deciding factor.
“Since the beginning of the season every time play another game every week and it is hard to work and keep a good fit, a good physical,” he reckoned.
“They are ready for the next game and I say it is a good challenge for us and exciting, because three games in Premier League was strong and disappointment.
“Now we come back to look forward with many games in January. It is difficult but we knew since the beginning of the season different possibilities and we can have the good answer every time.
“Liverpool are a great team and for the first round we try to have a good result and prepare the second round at Liverpool.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for us and I think the players are ready for this game.”
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