Joe Gallagher, the trainer for WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith, is not convinced that WBO world champion Billy Joe Saunders is the right opponent to draw a proper crowd for a mega-fight in 2020 at Anfield.

Smith is facing mandatory challenger John Ryder on Saturday night.

To get a proper crowd at Anfield, Gallagher explains that a high profile opponent is needed and he does not believe Saunders is the man they require to fit that build.

“It’s an opportunity and we will see what happens,” said Gallagher to The Mirror. “But we don’t want Anfield with just 10,000 there, we want Anfield with a proper dance partner.

“From what I hear about Billy Joe Saunders he either wants to move back down to middleweight or get the Canelo fight. But I don’t think Billy Joe Saunders would bring 30-40,000 in, just look at his last fights. We will just have to wait and see, but first and foremost, we have to take care of John Ryder and he’s in the form of his life.”

Earlier this month, Saunders returned to the ring as part of the undercard to the battle of Youtubers, between KSI and Logal Paul, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Saunders' performance was lackluster in the bout, as he struggled to get going.

Gallagher believes Smith is only getting better at 29.

“We haven’t see the best of Callum Smith yet, that’s the frightening thing,” said Gallagher. "Against George Groves I was really annoyed that he stopped him in the seventh round because he had so much more to show in terms of shot selection.

“Listen, he’s still got huge potential and hopefully John Ryder will be able to bring another skill set out of Callum for everyone to sit back and say he is the real deal. We did testing last week and everything is the best it’s been. His weight is down, that tells you everything that he won’t take any challenge lightly. He’s absolutely on it.

“It’s the homecoming and he won’t anything spoil that.”