Nunez previews Bournemouth trip: 'We need the same mentality and will to win'
'Go out there like lions from the very first second' is how Darwin Nunez and Liverpool plan to attack the weekend's visit to AFC Bournemouth.
The Reds will look to build on last weekend's record-breaking 7-0 victory over Manchester United by leaving Vitality Stadium with another important set of three points in the Premier League.
Nunez, the Standard Chartered Men's Player of the Month for February, believes the same approach and level of performance will be required again come 12.30pm GMT on Saturday.
Previewing the encounter on the south coast, the striker sat down with Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Training Centre to reflect on the squad's most recent outing and analyse his evolving relationship with forward partners.
Read on for the interview…
Just reflecting on last week's result versus Manchester United, is that one of the best games you've ever played in?
I think so, yes. We put in an amazing performance – both in defence and attack. When the game was over, I was just so happy. I think we won by so many goals because the fans never stopped driving us on for one minute. They're always with us. A lot of it was down to the fans, too.
What has that result done to the mood around the squad and training ground?
Everyone is really happy. Fortunately, the coach gave us two days off, so we were all really happy with that. But we've got to keep going in the same direction and not underestimate anyone. Now we've got the next game coming up and we have to go into that with the same desire that we showed against Manchester United.
Following it up with a positive result at Bournemouth will help keep the momentum going and fulfil targets...
Of course, we can't afford to relax now just because we beat Manchester United 7-0. We have to go into this game with the same mentality and with that same will to win in order to bring the three points home – which is what we want to keep climbing the table. So in the first game [this season] against this team we beat them 9-0 if I'm not wrong, but this is a different game now. We have to go there to try to beat them again. It's like what happened with Manchester United, they beat us [at Old Trafford] but then it was a different game and we managed to score seven goals. That's football – things can turn around. We have to go there and be strong with the same positive mentality.
What are you expecting from Bournemouth, who put up a good fight against leaders Arsenal, and what will you need to do to leave with three points?
They're coming into this game in decent form and you can see the changes they've made in their performances. Against Arsenal, for example, they put in a great performance and were just unlucky to concede in the last minute – but that's football for you. Now we have to go and play against them and go there with a positive mindset, not relax for a minute and go out there like lions from the very first second.
Finally, do you believe your chemistry and relationship with your attacking teammates is getting better with every game? Cody Gakpo is growing stronger and Mo Salah continues to break all kinds of records…
Salah is just another thing altogether – he's an absolute star. And Gakpo, he got here when we weren't in the best form and he had to settle in as well. We needed to have time training together and now you can see that we're developing a better understanding. I hope that keeps going in the same way and that those up front can bring lots of happiness to the fans because they deserve it.