Piqué describes Liverpool defeat as "one of the worst nights of my career"
The Barcelona centre-back was asked about the 4-0 drubbing at Anfield: "Sometimes you just can't get on the ball and play your own game".
Gerard Piqué and Leo Messi were in the hotseat at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper this afternoon. Out of the 10 questions programmed for the half hour press conference, only three were directed at Piqué. Barça's media department tried to soften the effect by asking a few additional questions of their own for the club TV channel but there was little in the way of questions about tomorrow's Copa del Rey final against Valencia.
Piqué's Anfield nightmare
Have you worked out what caused the meltdown at Anfield and do you understand the criticism the team has received for completely losing your style of play?
It was one of the worst experiences of my playing career. We tried to play with our style, but you can't always do that. Maybe it's because we now have other kinds of players but the objective is to continue playing with our style of football, the one we were taught as youngsters and the one that0s brought us so much success. But at Anfield, irt just wasn't possible to control the game and that was one of our biggest mistakes.
What are your thoughts on the signing of Frenkie de Jong and do you think it's time that Barça rejuvenated the squad?
The years roll by. There are a lot of players who are getting on a bit in the squad. We need to sign young players and some of us will have to move on from here. It's the law of life I'm afraid. But we need to look for talent more than just youth. De Jong has shown he's at the level to compete with the best.
What do you think of tomorrow's rivals, Valencia?
They started the season erratically, but since then they've got up to full speed. They are a very organized side who will be going into the game in a good moment of form. But we want this Copa del Rey as much as they do.
Piqué attends Barcelona's media department
Champions League disappointment: "The defeat at Anfield really affected us, but these things happen. We had a difficult few days to get through but the players have lifted themselves and we're ready for the final. It's very important for us to win this Copa".
Tough path to the final: "To reach any final it's always a hard slog. When we booked our place in the final, we really celebrated it, the problem was the Liverpool defeat took a lot of the shine off everything. Winning the Copa would help us to make up a bit for what happened in the Champions League".
Valencia's danger areas: "We've got to be very careful when they try to hit us on the break, they have very quick players up front".