Roberto De Zerbi wants Albion to be brave and enjoy themselves at Anfield.

And he believes they have the footballing defenders to do it.

The Italian head coach sends the Seagulls out for the first time today as they take on Liverpool (3pm).

He took training with a full squad for the first time yesterday as key players returned from international action.

Albion stunned the Kop with a 2-2 draw which might have been even better almost a year ago.

They had previously won 1-0 at Liverpool behind closed doors.

Asked what his final words would be as his side walked out at Anfield, De Zerbi said: “Courage!

“Courage is a word that I use a lot. Courage and enjoyment.

“We know we have good players, and we are doing well, but being brave, having courage, and enjoying yourself playing football, especially against top teams, is crucial.”

De Zerbi did his homework on Albion ahead of securing the job as successor to Graham Potter.

But he says he has been even more impressed by players when getting to see them in training.

He said: “Potter’s style of play is a bit different from mine considering the ball possession phase. What has surprised me is the three defenders (Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, pictured, and Adam Webster) because they can play much more with the ball compared with how they have done.

“For example, Dunk is a fantastic defender but I’m talking about his capabilities, because maybe from the videos and the games I analysed, it wasn’t that clear.

“But of course, over a period of time I will have much more precise knowledge of each player because two or three training sessions are not enough to understand fully.”

De Zerbi sees Anfield as a fitting stage for his first Prem match.

He said: “I’ve never been there personally. But everyone all over the world knows what the atmosphere is like at Anfield.

“That’s why I take it as a gift to go there in my first game.”