As the Portuguese press continues to write their special stories ahead of Porto’s Champions League clash against Liverpool, they bring quite an interesting one today.
O Jogo went to Melwood do speak with Jurgen Klopp’s assistant Pepijn Lijnders. He was a Porto coach between 2008 and 2014, and turned out to be a great interviewee for this match.
The Portuguese newspaper wanted to know about Lijnders’ Porto experience, and also asked a daring question about Liverpool interest in Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
“FC Porto had a very big impact on me as a coach, but even more so as a person,” Lijnders told O Jogo. “I will always talk about the club with great pride and responsibility. If there is a club that has created its own history in the last 30 years, it was undoubtedly FC Porto. Pinto da Costa created a winning institution. The club did not stop investing and were always forced to reinvent themselves without touching the Porto mentality.”
The assistant spoke a little about Porto players who could offer Liverpool some danger, although he says the Dragons are stronger as a team.
“Without good players there is no collective, but without collective there is no success. FC Porto have interesting, skilful players, such as Alex Telles, a very offensive side with speed and cross; Militão is of European top; Danilo and Herrera are very strong. Corona and Otávio, Brahimi, Marega and Óliver… But there is not a star.”
“It is a very fighting team, aggressive and compact, that know how to change the moments of the game. They have a great mix of talent, but a very clear identity. They can create problems in different ways. I know how FC Porto think.
“They love those who detest losing, have the culture to fight against everything and against all. And they love the possibility of beating us. Sérgio will use last year’s result to motivate the team. Adversity makes FC Porto stronger, faster and more clinical. The team is identical to last year, with very specific signings, such as Militão’s incredible talent and the incredible experience of Pepe. Many teams wanted to avoid us. Probably only Porto would love to play against us.”
When at Porto, Lijnders has worked with boys who turned out to be big talents, such as Ruben Neves, Diogo Dalot and João Félix. Now he could face the Wolves player in the Premier League, and was asked by O Jogo if it’s true Liverpool were interested in him.
“(Laughs) I know him very well, his ambition, his passion for the game, his professionalism… I know what he gives to the team and this type of players always interest us. I recognised him when I saw him at Wolves. I saw technique, professionalism; I saw the 2013/14 player I knew.”
Asked if he’s spoken to Neves, Lijnders said: “Yes, it was a special moment. He’s a man, he’s got a wife, a baby… It’s good to see my boys.”
Quizzed if Liverpool are a happy team, he answered: “And it is. If we do not smile, the ball will not smile. We enjoy the way we train and play, believe in it and try to be the best we can be.”
