Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne is hoping that his side can put in a performance that can make everyone proud when they travel to Carabao Cup holders Liverpool in Round Three of this year's competition on Wednesday night (8pm kick-off).
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the meeting with the Reds at Anfield under the lights, Warne discussed going head-to-head with Jurgen Klopp, the latest Rams news and much more.
On Justin Walker’s departure to Hull City…
I obviously wish him all the best; there’s no hard feelings from me at all. I spoke to him before their game at Millwall and wished him all the best and then spoke to him after when they got a good point with ten men, which was hugely impressive.
I’ll always be in contact with Justin for the rest of my life. He’s a great guy, a great footballing guy and I understand why he’s taken the challenge on.
On his Torquay United reflections…
There are certain things where we just aren’t right at it yet, which is frustrating truth be told. The lads have taken a lot on board and still have quite away to go and that was evident on Sunday.
It was just disappointing that, from a position of pretty good control, we managed to press the self-destruct button but even with ten men I’d have expected us to see the game out.
The beauty of the FA Cup is you can just throw the kitchen sink at it, especially if you’re an underdog. We could have been better in certain parts of the match obviously but we’re still in the hat for the Second Round and didn’t get any injuries.
On Eiran Cashin’s sending off at Torquay…
It has been appealed. I’ve watched it from every angle I can and I’m pretty confident we will get it overturned. I spoke to a Premier League referee, who I know really well, and he suggested that I appeal.
Obviously I do have a bit of bias, but I do understand the rules and to me it looks like there’s a covering defender - so it’s a yellow for sure.
On the challenge of facing Liverpool…
We can’t make loads of changes, it’s not a match where we can start in a weakened position and make loads of changes as time goes on.
There’s also a part of my brain thinking about the importance of MK Dons away at the weekend in the league.
We need to put a good performance on; there’s loads of people travelling and it’s a good game for the lads to play in - an occasion as such. But it’s only an occasion if you perform.
I’ve had the fortune of playing at Anfield in the FA Cup and I know what it meant to my family watching me play there and it definitely got an extra 10% out of me. I hope the same can be said for our players.
When we get any opportunities to hurt them we have to take them. To get any result against one of the best teams in Europe, everything has to go right for you. When you have the opportunities for a counter-attack, you have to make the best decisions.
There will be times in the match where we have to ride our luck but I just hope the lads put on a performance that they can enjoy, their families can enjoy, the fans can enjoy and they can look back on with fond memories.
On going head-to-head with Jurgen Klopp…
I’ve got the utmost respect for him, but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it!
I haven’t given it too much thought because I’m still licking my wounds from the weekend and I’ve got MK Dons to plan for as well.
When I get there it will feel surreal. I remember standing beside Pep Guardiola when I was at Rotherham United and we went to Manchester City. I’ve stood beside many great managers who have achieved great things so it will be an honour to stand beside him. It will be a bigger honour to shake his hand at the end if the lads have performed really well and that’s my full focus really.
On the NSPCC appearing on Derby's shirts…
For the owner and board of directors to take this on whole-heartedly and give the sponsorship to such an important charity is something that makes me really proud - and I mean that with all sincerity.
It’s a really nice gesture that is pretty selfless. In that respect, I’m really proud to be the manager of a club that has negated the financial part of it for the good of society so I’m really proud.
