Reds quartet on England v Wales and Joe Allen’s nickname
Ahead of the European Championship showdown between England and Wales on Thursday, four Liverpool players hoping to be involved in the fixture sat down to discuss the crucial Group B encounter.
The Three Lions’ James Milner and Adam Lallana and Joe Allen and Danny Ward of the Dragons squad gathered to look ahead to the game in Lens and partake in some good-natured repartee, with the Daily Express’ Paul Joyce acting as the man in the middle.
You can read the interview in full by clicking here, or scroll down for some of the key points…
James Milner on his experience of England’s last game against Wales in 2011…
The Cardiff game was hyped up a lot. The atmosphere was electric...for about four minutes, and then it got a bit quieter. I remember it going flat very quickly because Darren Bent scored. They are massive games, a bit more like Premier League matches with the style of play and the energy involved. But Wales are a different team now and they have come such a long way since then. They've been in the top 10 in the world so they're obviously a massive nation to do that.
Joe Allen on the work Chris Coleman has done with Wales…
Chris has done a brilliant job. The lads love playing for him. He is a great motivator and he gets you out on the pitch wanting to give everything for your country. On the tactical side we have improved massively. He has a really good team of staff behind him. That was a big part of qualifying campaign - preparation and homework. We are more experienced now, but England will be huge favourites.
Adam Lallana on England dealing with the favourites' tag…
We're always favourites. It's part and parcel of being in the England team and having to deal with it. People have said we have a younger group and that might play into our hands a little bit. The youngsters are fearless. I am sure Wales will have their game plan: sit in, keep it tight, Bale and Ramsey on the counter-attack.
James Milner on Joe Allen’s Melwood nickname…
He went through a stage when he very much looked like [Andrea] Pirlo with his beard and long hair and from there it has developed into Pearlsy. HC - as in hot cross - is the other one after he debuted his hair in a bun.
Adam Lallana on playing alongside Gareth Bale at Southampton…
When he was 16 or 17, he was very wiry and hadn't filled into his frame yet. If you look at him now he is a great physical shape. Speed and power are two of his qualities. He even got put on a six-week trial before he got his scholarship at Southampton which just shows how crazy football can be. It sounds daft now, doesn't it? I was reading Jamie Vardy saying you are still developing at 20 or 21 and sometimes some players take time to develop. Gareth will obviously be a huge threat.
Joe Allen on the pressure on Welsh shoulders…
We're going in as underdogs. Adam mentioned the word 'fearless' and for us there really is nothing to lose. The danger is any complacency that might come, but the lads we've got are hungry. It's our first major tournament since 1958 and we've certainly not got any weight on our shoulders. That will help us.
Danny Ward’s pre-match prediction…
It might get a bit heated early on. Joe will hunt down Lallana or Milner given the stick they've given him over his barnet for six months and I can see him popping up when there's a scramble in the box and wheeling away in celebration!