Hinshelwood: We're in a good place ahead of Anfield test

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Nick Szczepanik

2024-11-02T06:00+00:00

Jack Hinshelwood returned to action against Liverpool on Wednesday. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Jack Hinshelwood is looking forward to facing Liverpool at Anfield today and, he hopes, improving on Wednesday’s result, a 3-2 Amex defeat at the hands of the Reds in the Carabao Cup.

“Both teams had big chances and I don’t think there was just one team in it,” he said. “The first two goals were great finishes and we lacked that a bit but it puts us in a good place to go to Anfield and give it a good challenge.

“There are things that we did well but there is always room for improvement. We have worked hard to come up with a plan to go there and give a good account of ourselves and challenge Liverpool.”

The 19-year-old academy graduate missed last season’s match at Anfield through injury but is likely to feature in Fabian Hurzeler’s plans on Merseyside, having appeared as substitute on Wednesday after sitting out the home game against Wolves.

“I had a minor calf injury but I’m back, fit and ready to give my all again when I win my place in that starting eleven.”

But where might that be? He broke into the side at right-back last season but has played at left-back in the present campaign before moving into central midfield, the position in which he came through the club’s youth ranks.

“Yes, I was more familiar with that position, but I played a lot of games in the Premier League at full-back so the more positions I can play the more chance of me getting on the team sheet and ultimately I’ve got to keep going in training throughout the week and ensure I keep my place,” he said.

“Whatever gets me on that starting team sheet is ultimately the gaffer’s decision, where he wants me to play and where he thinks I can impact the game best from. I’ve just got to keep working hard on the training pitch to ensure those opportunities keep coming my way.”

Jack has already come through some tough tests this season, such as taking on Bukayo Saka away to Arsenal, so the possibility of going up against Mo Salah and company on their home turf is something he relishes.

“I’ll take on any challenge,” he said. “All you can do is go out and give your all and we know Salah is a top player but if the gaffer puts me at left-back I’ll go out and give it a right go.

“They’ve got great quality and it’s a tough place to go, especially with the form they’re in and the way they’ve started the season they’re going to be full of confidence. But so are we. I think we’ve started really well and we’ll take confidence from results like Newcastle away. We want to have more of the ball than against Newcastle but we know we’ve got to suffer together, take the tough moments on our chin because we know we can be a threat.”

And despite now being a veteran of 21 Premier League appearances, he still expects to be thrilled by a first game in front of The Kop. “I think it’s still the same,” he said. “Every game I’m buzzing to be out on the pitch. I’m excited for the challenges that I’m coming up against. It’s Premier League football, it’s probably the best in the world, so to be playing in that week in and week out is something I’ve dreamed of. I keep going out there and working my hardest and see where it takes me.”