Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg spoke to the media ahead of Marseille's Champions League clash with Liverpool
Marseille's Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg speaks during a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7 football match against Liverpool at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille
Marseille's Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg speaks during a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7 football match against Liverpool at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille(Image: AFP )
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg insists it is ‘not fair’ to claim Liverpool are going through a bad patch as he took a subtle dig at English football. The Denmark international joined Marseille last summer following a successful year on loan, having spent eight seasons in the Premier League with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Ligue 1 outfit currently sit 16th in the league phase table, three points behind the Reds, having won three of their six matches to date - including an impressive home victory over Newcastle United back in November.
Arne Slot’s side come into the game off the back of a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but have drawn six of those matches.
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However, they also endured a run of nine defeats in 12 matches during the autumn to leave their Premier League title defence in tatters.
Outside of the Champions League top eight on goals scored alone, Liverpool need just one point to confirm a place in the Champions League knockout play-off phase.
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Hojbjerg was quick to offer a reminder of the Reds’ strengths when speaking ahead of the game, but suggested Marseille might be underestimated back in England.
“It's not fair to say that (Liverpool are going through a bad patch)," he said. “They have fantastic players like (Mohamed) Salah.
“Liverpool are the English champions. Liverpool are a strong team. I have confidence in us, I have ambition with OM.
“When you play in England, they say it's the best league in the world. If the English say that the most important match is the one at the weekend...
“For us, every match is important. We want to play well, we are ambitious and we want to play our game.
“It would be great to play a big game. We'll do everything we can. It will be a complete game with two teams wanting the three points. We'll do everything we can to win.
“We need to be at our best mentally and physically. We play for OM, we'll try to do everything we can to get points.
“We'll have to play a great game, we're ambitious, we love playing these big games. Liverpool are champions, we have to take these opportunities.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday), football will be celebrated. Two extraordinary clubs, passion, history, in an extraordinary stadium and setting.
“Tomorrow, everyone will come with a smile, and I hope that OM fans will leave with a smile.”
Meanwhile, Hojbjerg also paid tribute to his former Southampton team-mate and Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk.
“Virgil has had an extraordinary career,” he said. “He will continue. He has won everything, he is a top-level player, a leader in his team and in his country.
“Young people should look up to him and follow his example. He is a very high-level player. I congratulate him on his career.”