Steven Gerrard was in front of the cameras on Friday morning for his pre-match press conference ahead of Aston Villa v Manchester City.
The head coach discussed taking on the champions, the deadline day additions of Leander Dendoncker and Jan Bednarek, and much more.
Here’s what he had to say…
On Villa's deadline-day signings…
“Both players bring vital Premier League experience and international experience. They bring profile into the team and stature, which I think we need.
“I’m hoping they bring a real positive energy that is needed at the moment. Hopefully they’ll give the current group some help and support that is very much needed in view of our recent results.
“I’m delighted to get them in. It was a challenge in both situations because they were very much in demand. So for them to choose Aston Villa and come to play for us is important.
“The work behind the scenes to get them done was crucial, so well done to those people as well.”
On Douglas Luiz…
“I’ve got confidence that he’ll understand the situation and the club’s decision that we didn’t want to lose a very important player and a top player so late in the window.
“From a personal point of view, I very much back the club’s decision and stance on that. I spoke to Dougie face-to-face yesterday and he understood where it was at and the position that the club was in.
“He very much respects the decision. Hopefully it will calm down in the hours and days to come and he’ll be fine moving forward.”
On Villa’s recent run of form…
“Belief is very important at this level. You’ve got to have belief individually and have belief in each other around the dressing room.
“There will be a moment or a time when this clicks back into place, and belief is very important in that.
“The players have got my confidence and my belief. We need to block out external noise and pressure and focus on what’s in front of us, which is the game.”
On facing Manchester City…
“It goes without saying that you’re playing against one of the best teams in the world. They’re littered with world class stars and arguably the best manager out there.
“That’s the challenge for us. We’ve run this Manchester City side close on both occasions that I’ve personally competed against them with this team.
“The plan will be to make it extremely hard for them and to take them to places where they don’t want to go. We don’t want to go into the game – because of what’s happened so far this season – with any fear around the place.
“We need to have belief and confidence and make it as hard as we can for them. When the time comes to show our quality, like we have done against Manchester City last year when we had an opportunity in the final minutes with young Carney (Chukwuemeka), to snatch something.
“We know we can hurt this team. We’re looking forward to the game.”
On Pep Guardiola…
“That’s the reason why I decided to go on a coaching journey, from a personal point of view, to challenge myself against the best in the world.
“The name and the person, Pep, speaks for itself. What he’s done in the game as a player and manager is very impressive.
“Tomorrow is another opportunity over the 90 minutes for myself and my coaching staff but more importantly the players to go and give a good account of themselves.
“There’s no better fixture for us to try and bounce back from [Wednesday] because no one’s happy with recent results.”
