Walter Mazzarri wants Watford players to have champion mentality for Liverpool clash
Sunday 30 April 2017 13:56, UK
Watford boss Walter Mazzarri is demanding his players think like they are playing a Champions League final when they face Liverpool.
The Hornets host Liverpool on Monday night, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, in the relative safety of mid-table having reached the 40-point barrier which has traditionally proved enough to avoid the drop.
Mazzarri, though, has no intentions of allowing his squad to relax with upcoming fixtures against Everton and Manchester City.
"I am not looking at other people's problems with the table. I am only interested in my team," Mazzarri said.
"I want them to fight for every ball and to concentrate lots. I want my players go on the pitch thinking they are
in the Champions League final and then we will see afterwards how we have done."
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It has been something of an inconsistent campaign from the Hornets, who have endured plenty of injury problems yet managed to stay clear of being embroiled in the survival battle.
A run of three wins in the past five matches has all but staved off any relegation fears.
Watford were thrashed 6-1 by Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the season, when the Reds were looking set for a sustained title challenge which has gradually faded.
Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes warned the Hornets could be stung again if they do not go into Monday night's match with the right mindset.
"If we don't approach the game well, we could have another heavy defeat. But we are able to do great things as well," Gomes told the Hertfordshire Mercury.
"We are able to compete, we have shown that so many times this season. We have reached 40 points, not just getting points against teams that are below us, we got some from the teams that are above us, which is important.
"We have to react every time things go wrong, we did that a few times this season and we have to do it again on Monday."
