Steven Gerrard insists he won't be distracted by the 'noise' around his return to Anfield on Saturday and believes his Aston Villa side can upset Liverpool.
The Liverpool legend admitted returning to Merseyside will bring a smile to his face but is focused solely on continuing his fine start to Premier League management.
Villa have won three of four matches since Gerrard came in last month, with that one reverse against league leaders Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp's title chasing side will obviously provide another stern test of Villa's improvement under the former England midfielder regardless of the emotional factors.
Gerrard said: 'I really respect and understand the noise around the game for obvious reasons because I'm going back to a club where I spent many years.
'It brings a smile to my face for a couple of reasons. One because I've obviously got 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 and it was the team I supported growing up and I always will support that team. Of course I will.
'But at the same time it brings a smile to my face because I've got the opportunity to go there and compete against a good team with a good manager with the opportunity to try and win the game and 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 I can to try and get a positive result for Aston Villa and that's the way I will be.
'Everyone in that stadium will know me well enough to know what I'm about and what I'm going to Anfield for. For everyone else, it's a massive occasion. For me, it's three points.
'It's a big game of football and it's 90 minutes we need to focus on. We're a good team, we've got top players, we're a threat and we want to make it as difficult as we can for Liverpool.
'If I’m on the bus, heading back down the M6 towards Birmingham and I’m not the most popular at Anfield, so be it.
'We're at our best when we play with controlled aggression and we're on the front foot. At this level, if you're passive in any area of the pitch, you can be punished quickly.'