Raul reveals Kenny talks
Raul Meireles has revealed how he has spoken to Kenny Dalglish to inform the boss of what Liverpool can expect from SC Braga tonight.
The midfielder was involved in countless tussles with the Arsenalistas during his time with FC Porto - and tried to pass on any inside knowledge he may have to the Reds manager ahead of the trip to Portugal.
Meireles told reporters at the Estadio AXA: "I had a talk with the manager. I explained to him Braga had a magnificent season last campaign and finished second, even in front of Porto. With the same players and another years' experience, I expect Braga to be an even tougher competitor. I expect a difficult match. I know Braga very well and have played against them many times. They have a good team and the manager is a very good and always prepares his teams well at home. I expect it to be a tough match but we are ready. Liverpool always go out to win matches, so that will be our objective tonight."
Meireles has been one of the leading lights of Dalglish's second spell in charge of Liverpool, contributing five goals since January. However, the midfielder attributes his scoring spree to the manager, insisting he allows him to attack opposition teams more.
He said: "I always work very hard. It doesn't matter if I am scoring a lot of goals or not - the important thing is that I am contributing to the success of the team. The big, big difference for me is that at this moment under Kenny, I am playing in a different position on the pitch, so this is one of the main reasons for so many goals."
they look like they're gonna brawl or profess their undying love to one another tbqh
Since moving to Anfield last August, Meireles has established himself as one of the Barclays Premier League's most technically gifted operators. And he admits, he is more than happy with Liverpool life.
"I am very much committed to Liverpool and I am very, very happy," he said. "I am living a dream by playing for Liverpool because they are one of the best clubs in the world, so who wouldn't be happy? I work hard every day so I can do my best in each match and please the manager."
Liverpool departed for Portugal on Wednesday afternoon minus Steven Gerrard, who has remained behind at Melwood to have a groin injury assessed. Meireles, though, is confident the squad will step up to the plate in his absence tonight.
He said: "The team is very well. Every player in the Liverpool team knows exactly what we have to do. We will work very hard and the players must give 100 per cent in the match. If we do, we can succeed."
He added: "We don't think too far ahead - we think match by match. We want to win every match and if we can do this in every competition, not only in the Europa League or Premier League, we obviously will always have more chance of getting some silverware this season."
Meanwhile, local reporters quizzed Meireles on what it would mean to him if Liverpool were to go all the way to this season's Europa League final in Dublin and meet former club Porto.
He responded: "It is a dream for every player to play a European final, but obviously if the final was against Porto it would be a magnificent thing for me. I would be very happy with that."
SOURCE
Love this man SFM. I shall leave you a GIF with him and his adorable daughter
The midfielder was involved in countless tussles with the Arsenalistas during his time with FC Porto - and tried to pass on any inside knowledge he may have to the Reds manager ahead of the trip to Portugal.
Meireles told reporters at the Estadio AXA: "I had a talk with the manager. I explained to him Braga had a magnificent season last campaign and finished second, even in front of Porto. With the same players and another years' experience, I expect Braga to be an even tougher competitor. I expect a difficult match. I know Braga very well and have played against them many times. They have a good team and the manager is a very good and always prepares his teams well at home. I expect it to be a tough match but we are ready. Liverpool always go out to win matches, so that will be our objective tonight."
Meireles has been one of the leading lights of Dalglish's second spell in charge of Liverpool, contributing five goals since January. However, the midfielder attributes his scoring spree to the manager, insisting he allows him to attack opposition teams more.
He said: "I always work very hard. It doesn't matter if I am scoring a lot of goals or not - the important thing is that I am contributing to the success of the team. The big, big difference for me is that at this moment under Kenny, I am playing in a different position on the pitch, so this is one of the main reasons for so many goals."
they look like they're gonna brawl or profess their undying love to one another tbqh
Since moving to Anfield last August, Meireles has established himself as one of the Barclays Premier League's most technically gifted operators. And he admits, he is more than happy with Liverpool life.
"I am very much committed to Liverpool and I am very, very happy," he said. "I am living a dream by playing for Liverpool because they are one of the best clubs in the world, so who wouldn't be happy? I work hard every day so I can do my best in each match and please the manager."
Liverpool departed for Portugal on Wednesday afternoon minus Steven Gerrard, who has remained behind at Melwood to have a groin injury assessed. Meireles, though, is confident the squad will step up to the plate in his absence tonight.
He said: "The team is very well. Every player in the Liverpool team knows exactly what we have to do. We will work very hard and the players must give 100 per cent in the match. If we do, we can succeed."
He added: "We don't think too far ahead - we think match by match. We want to win every match and if we can do this in every competition, not only in the Europa League or Premier League, we obviously will always have more chance of getting some silverware this season."
Meanwhile, local reporters quizzed Meireles on what it would mean to him if Liverpool were to go all the way to this season's Europa League final in Dublin and meet former club Porto.
He responded: "It is a dream for every player to play a European final, but obviously if the final was against Porto it would be a magnificent thing for me. I would be very happy with that."
SOURCE
Love this man SFM. I shall leave you a GIF with him and his adorable daughter