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Luis Garcia smiles in embarrassment when asked about Liverpool’s shocking 7-2 loss to relegation contenders Aston Villa.
The former Spanish international mirrored many fans around the world by sitting open-mouthed as the team that won Jurgen Klopp’s title was shattered, humiliated and conceded seven goals to a team that maintained its top-flight status by a single point. Last season.
‘It can happen, the competition is tougher every year and becomes more difficult,’ explains García to Sportsmail. “Every game is different and every club now wants to beat Liverpool.”
Luis Garcia feels Liverpool have an excellent chance to bounce back from their beating Aston Villa in the Merseyside derby. In the photo: Garcia promoting Soccer for Friendship
The 42-year-old is very happy to talk about his former club, where he is still held in high regard at the Kop and keeps up with Liverpool’s progress on a weekly basis.
“This kind of thing can happen and the most important thing, I think, is, as Jurgen Klopp rightly put it,” how do we react to this. “
‘If in the next game the intensity is very low, if they don’t manage because their mentality is not good, then maybe you can start to worry about how it is going to be in this competition, but for one game after winning the first three Are you worried about a bad result? No I dont think so.
Liverpool shocked the football world when they capitulated against Dean Smith’s Aston Villa
As he agrees with these times of pandemic, Garcia sits with Sportsmail remotely, to chat via Zoom after joining the Soccer for Friendship program in his role as UEFA ambassador.
García knows everything about Liverpool, although the time when he wore the famous red jersey is in stark contrast to the current one. Along with Steven Gerrard and Co. Garcia was part of a team that sought in vain to finally secure a league title.
Now, as champions of England once again, Liverpool are tasked with bouncing back from one of their most humiliating defeats under extremely difficult circumstances; a Merseyside derby against an Everton team that has yet to lose a game all season.
“It is always a special game. The city knows it, the players know it, ”says Garcia.
Saturday’s rival Everton are flying after winning every game so far this season.
By signing stars like James Rodríguez, Garcia admits Everton has closed the gap with Liverpool
“Also as a football fan it is fantastic to see how Everton does so well, I think Ancelotti has managed to put that team together and they are there at the top and doing well.
“The balance can go both ways and I think that is very good for football and the city.
“ During the last few years it has been somewhat unbalanced, Liverpool have always looked much stronger than Everton, but at the moment they look good and it is a very good time to see how this Liverpool team is shaping up for the next few days. . weeks. ‘
After spending money this summer, Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti finally has a team in his own image, with particular emphasis on his renewed midfield with the acquisitions of James Rodríguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan.
Liverpool, however, have acquired a select staff of their own. Despite ending the club’s 30-year wait for the title at a canter, Klopp entered the market to secure the signing of one of the world’s most exciting midfielders in Thiago Alcántara.
In Thiago Alcántara, García feels that Liverpool once again have a player in the mold of Xabi Alonso
Alonso, like Garcia, continues to be revered at Anfield and remembered for a sublime passing repertoire
Garcia takes a moment of deep consideration when asked if passing master Thiago gives Liverpool something they have lacked since the departure of former teammate and close friend Xabi Alonso.
He’s that kind of player, yeah. You see hendo [Jordan Henderson], Fabinho, [Georginio] Wijnaldum, all these types of players are more total players, who go up and down and can play with the ball, but they may not have the creativity that Thiago can add with those passes between the lines.
“This team that won the Premier League was never missing a piece, but when you can lose an early game 7-2, you know you can always add something.
‘We have seen Thiago when he entered the game [vs Chelsea] he can add something different, a very special and very specific player. ‘
The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona player made an immediate impression in his brief 45-minute debut at Stamford Bridge, breaking the all-time Premier League record for most passes played in one half of football.
“He thinks before anyone else, he comes with the philosophy of Barcelona, knowing very well what is happening around him and shaping his body in the correct position and always looking ahead of the game,” adds García.
But it will Does the arrival of recent Champions League winner Thiago, who will return for the derby after a quarantine period after contracting coronavirus, still serve to keep the Liverpool champions on their toes?
Garcia admits Rafa Benitez used to keep him on his toes by warning of new incoming players
Garcia was warned that Craig Bellamy (center) was joining the club to dispute his place
“Of course, and much more when you have young coaches who tell you every day” listen, if you don’t push your game, I’ll replace you and bring more players, “says Garcia.
‘That’s one way Rafa [Benitez] I used to work, I used to come every preseason and say “I’m going to sign two players, Jermaine Pennant is coming and Craig Bellamy is coming.”
“Every year he brought in players who did well on other teams.
But when you are at the highest level, the players that you will be surrounded with are also the highest level, so you have to maintain 100 percent in each training because you will be replaced or there will be a teenager. who’s going to add something different. ‘
