Chelsea star who ‘gets his shirt dirty’ hailed by Liverpool’s Pep Lijnders

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has hailed one of ’s star players who ‘gets his shirt dirty’ ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Chelsea and Liverpool lock horns at for a chance to secure major silverware in what is ’s final season as boss before he leaves Anfield.

, meanwhile, is aiming for a trophy in his first season as head coach of Chelsea and one player who could be key is midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Gallagher and Lijnders is very aware of the threat he poses ahead of Sunday’s final, while he also singled out Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.

‘A good final only starts by analysing their strengths and where to start? Enzo Fernandez is the one where it all starts,’ Lijnders said in Friday’s press conference.

‘They have some instability so how can you expect them to show up straight away? Pochettino has already found his starting XI and Cole Palmer has been one of the finds of the season, taking them from a rival.

‘Conor Gallagher is a proper leader, a No.10 but gets his shirt dirty as well. If you let them play between the lines with their technique it will be really hard, they have speed up front.

‘When they play out of our counterpress, we will need both boxes to defend. A final always starts with respect.

‘We want to give joy and emotions to the fans. That is our philosophy at the club with Jurgen and I am happy we can give them a final to start with.’

Lijnders, meanwhile, says Liverpool have shown ‘big balls’ this season.

‘The dream was to prove to the world it is possible, even at this level in the Premier League,’ he added.

‘Not just bring in young players but players who win and can win you trophies because that is what Liverpool is about. I am really proud.

‘We really created a one-club mentality and culture. From a young age we play in a certain way, if we have to buy a right full-back, we show big balls to go for the academy player.’