Downpatrick rockers The Answer have just released their fourth album New Horizon and are gearing up for a tour of the UK and Ireland, so we collared bassist Micky Waters for a natter about his beloved Liverpool…

As a Liverpool fan, you must be quite happy at the moment…

I’ve been a Liverpool fan all my life and this is the first time in about ten years that we’ve had something to shout about to United fans! (Laughs) With any kind of integrity, anyway.

Suárez back in action, two goals under his belt, the SAS partnership with Sturridge…it’s going to be a big talking point on our tour bus for the next few months, I can tell you.

Do you think you can challenge for the title?

I’m a bit more realistic – I think we’ll be very happy with a top four finish. That would be an absolute gem of a season for Liverpool, at least going by the last two.

But you never know, if Suárez, Sturridge and Moses can keep fit then we could be in for a bit of a treat.

It’s good to see the strike partnership making a comeback.

Yeah, it’s exciting to watch. Brendan’s been messing around with formations so hopefully he’ll find something that works for everyone, especially when Coutinho comes back in.

How did you feel about the things Suárez was saying over the summer?

You can’t read into it too much because it’s hard to know what’s actually true. It seems that maybe Stevie G convinced him that it would be worth sticking around with all these new players coming into the squad.

Hopefully they do enough to keep him happy and he doesn’t leave in January! He’s definitely a feisty character, but sometimes that pays off with these guys.

What do you think of the new signings so far?

I’m very impressed with Touré. I know Moses is playing the role that Aspas was meant to take, but I quite like him – he’s a quality player.

Those three [Suárez, Sturridge and Moses] working away up front against Sunderland with Stevie G passing through, it was just a great game to watch.

Do you manage to get to Anfield much?

More in my youth, ’cause I used to go with family and that. In rock and roll bands, you’d think we’d have more time but we don’t!

But we’re making a point this year of getting more in touch with it again. We’re a couple of years older and we’re getting into it again.

We tend to do that – in the States we’d have followed NFL and all that carry-on. It gives you something to do on a day off, gives you a reason to go to a bar for a couple of beers without just sitting there, you know?

Do you remember the first game you ever went to?

Liverpool v Coventry, I think it was 1991 and we got beat 1-0 or something! But then I saw them win against Southampton in 1993 or 1994.

What’s the best game you ever went to?

I suppose the first game was best because I was very excited to go see them, had the shirt and all.

To see them get beat was bad though, so I think the best game is yet to come. Hopefully see them beat United or Everton sometime!

Finally, if you had to select a five-a-side team out of all the Liverpool players you’ve seen in your time as a fan, who would you choose?

Grobbelaar for being an entertainer. Definitely got a soft spot for Carragher, especially since he’s been on Sky Sports – his half time analysis is more entertaining than some of the games!

My favourite Liverpool player is Stevie G so gotta have him in midfield alongside John Barnes.

My first shirt was a Crown Paints shirt with Ian Rush on it, so I’ll have him up front. Not a bad team I suppose!

Micky Waters, thank you.

New Horizon is out now on Napalm Records.

The Answer play the following UK and Ireland dates in October and November:

Fri 11th Oct Limelight 2, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Sat 12th Oct Whelans, Dublin, EIRE

Thurs 17th Oct Academy 3, Manchester, UK

Fri 18th Oct Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, UK

Sat 19th Oct Cockpit, Leeds, UK

Sun 20th Oct Corporation, Sheffield, UK

Tues 22nd Oct The Garage, Glasgow, UK

Wed 23rd Oct O2 Academy, Newcastle, UK

Thurs 24th Oct Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK

Fri 25th Oct Electric Ballroom, London, UK

Sat 26th Oct The Thekla, Bristol, UK

Sun 27th Oct Concorde 2, Brighton, UK

Sat 30th Nov Hard Rock Hell Festival, Pwllheli, Wales

Shows are priced £14 London £16 (subject to booking fee). Tickets are available from local box offices and usual outlets – Livenation.co.uk / Ticketmaster.co.uk / Seetickets.com