Football
PA Sport 6y

Liverpool Champions League visit a big motivation - Maribor midfielder

Maribor midfielder Aleks Pihler has said the visit of Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday provides the motivation they need to register their first win in Group E.

Having drawn their opener at home to Spartak Moscow and lost 3-0 at Sevilla, the Slovenian side are bottom of the table.

However, Pihler said the arrival of the five-time European champions had given them a big incentive.

"We cannot wait for kick-off. We know who is coming to Ljudski vrt," he told a prematch news conference.

"Every victory is good for confidence, but playing against Liverpool is motivation enough.''

Coach Darko Milanic said his side faced a tough task, having not won any of their seven home matches in the Champions League group stage.

"It's hard to speak of weaknesses in opponents like these," he said.

"They can have problems when they lose the ball, that could be our opportunity, but they have quality and pace.

"We have to be persistent and patient. We need to fight, help each other, adapt."

Milanic pointed out that his side "have a good record against English teams" in European competition, with one home win and two draws.

He added: "We can be optimistic. I hope this fact will give the players an extra lift on the field. Every little bit helps."

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