Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has acknowledged his excitement ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture against former club Liverpool.
The club legend will be returning to Anfield for the first time as a manager, focused on trying to build on winning three of his opening four matches in charge of Villa.
Nevertheless, Gerrard has admitted that he has "a smile on his face" ahead of the game, partly because of the opportunity to take three points from his boyhood club.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Gerrard said: "I really respect and understand all of the noise surrounding the game for obvious reasons because I am going back to a club where I spent many years. So it brings a smile to my face for a couple of reasons.
"One because I have a good relationship with a lot of people at the club, I had a fantastic time there, a really good journey, I'm a local boy, it's the club I supported growing up and I will always support them.
"But at the same time, it brings a smile to my face because I have the opportunity to go there and compete against a good team, a good manager, and with the opportunity to try and win the game.
"That's my only main focus. I think the noise is for other people to get excited about. For me, it's about preparing the team in the best way that I can to try to get a positive result for Aston Villa."
Villa have recently moved into 10th position in the Premier League standings, helped by last week's 2-1 victory over Leicester City.
Darren Plant
