Vladimír Coufal knows there will be no margin for error if West Ham United are to triumph at Liverpool this weekend.
The Hammers head to Anfield on Sunday in search of a fourth Premier League win of the campaign and just a second victory at the home of the Reds since 1963.
Not that is a prospect that will daunt Coufal and his teammates, who sit sixth in the early league table after a strong start to the campaign – and also began their European campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Serbian side TSC Bačka Topola in midweek.
Although the Hammers needed to come from behind to ensure a winning start in UEFA Europa League Group A, Coufal says that will only serve to continue to build confidence as they head to Anfield for a tough domestic test.
“We prepare for every game in the same way,” the No5 explained. “We are 100 per cent concentrated for both competitions, at home and in Europe.
“Obviously we know Liverpool will be a much tougher opponent but the preparation is still the same.
“Teams have been ahead of them this season, but they have lost. It is important to score the first goal and it is a big advantage, but they have showed they are a very big team again with big character and quality to turn the game.
“We have to be focused in every single minute and do our best, and we will see what happens.”
In Coufal’s words, Liverpool have shown the strength of their character in their ability to come from behind this term – they have done so in four of their five wins so far – but West Ham also displayed that trait in defeating TSC on Thursday.
Coufal, who was able to enjoy a rest from the hectic nature to the start of the campaign in that game, was impressed with what he saw.
“The atmosphere was good on Thursday and I did not expect so many people, so big credit to our fans, they came and supported us and made a good atmosphere for us," he continued.
“I think we controlled the game from the first minute, it wasn’t the best performance we’ve played, but we controlled the game.
“We created some chances and in the first 15 minutes we could have scored, we were unlucky to be 0-0 at half-time.
“We obviously conceded after our mistake, but that happens and we showed that we are a big team, with resilience and we turned the game around to win. That’s the most important thing for the first game in the group.”
Mohammed Kudus and Dinos Mavropanos joined their fellow new signings James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez in making strong impressions when they had their chance from the off against TSC, with Kudus notching a full debut double and Mavropanos providing a resolute screen at the back.
“They are really good guys in the changing room,” Coufal added. “They are absolutely switched on to our style and how we want to play.
“Kudus showed on Thursday how quick, how strong he is and his technical skills. James Ward-Prowse, it’s unnecessary to speak about him – he’s a Premier League player and from what he did at Southampton.
“Now he’s scored twice and assisted five goals in his first five games. The quality of set pieces, he puts it exactly on the spot he wants.
“Edi Álvarez, this guy is crazy. I love him because you can see in training, every single minute he’s going 100 per cent.
“Dinos Mavropanos, he’s a very good guy too. He’s huge and had a very good game on Thursday.”
