Dries Mertens insists Napoli won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere against Liverpool – “football in Italy is crazy… I think we are used to it”.
The Partenopei need a point at Anfield tonight to qualify for the Last 16 of the Champions League, and the Belgian has already played there for Utrecht.
“My strongest memory is that they have a sign saying ‘This is Anfield’ and everyone was talking about it, so I was thinking it’s very big, you know,” Mertens told The Times.
Dries Mertens insists Napoli won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere against Liverpool – “football in Italy is crazy… I think we are used to it”.
The Partenopei need a point at Anfield tonight to qualify for the Last 16 of the Champions League, and the Belgian has already played there for Utrecht.
“My strongest memory is that they have a sign saying ‘This is Anfield’ and everyone was talking about it, so I was thinking it’s very big, you know,” Mertens told The Times.
“I came through the tunnel and I asked, ‘Where is the thing?’ and they said you missed it and I hadn’t noticed it. So, in the second half, I’m looking at this small thing and asking, ‘Is this so special?’
“The atmosphere? Football in Italy is crazy and the people are very crazy too so I think we are used to it.
“For me, it will push me to a different level, these are the nights we want to play.”
Mertens also discussed the impact of Carlo Ancelotti, as well as his predecessor, Maurizio Sarri.
“He [Ancelotti] has an air of tranquillity about him. He makes it look so easy. Normally you see trainers very stressed but I think I am more stressed than him. ‘Oh, we have a game,’ he says.
“Sarri? When we lost wearing a black and grey shirt, we never wore it again but for me he opened the world because he talks so differently about football.
“Sarri does not have an off button. I think he sleeps one hour a night and he is always thinking about football.
“Maybe because he had less time because he arrived late in the game and he is playing catch-up? I learnt a lot from him.”
It was Rafa Benitez who brought the former winger to Naples though.
“Where I live is the most beautiful place in the world, I think,” Mertens said.
“It’s the sea and the sun, I like the warmth.
“When he [Benitez] called me, he said, ‘I really want you.’ Napoli always say, ‘We wanted you,’ but I think it was Benítez. And I was, ‘Oh, it’s Rafa Benítez on the phone.’
“For me it was a great big step because nobody speaks English here. But Rafa spoke French, English, Italian, Spanish, he speaks every language and made me feel at home.
“At my first training session he said, ‘Try to learn this language as soon as possible but, if there is anything you need, ask me.’ He was like a real father.”