"I always wanted to be a cowboy, and Jedi Knights are basically cowboys in space, right?"

Liam Neeson's quote is a humorous contrast between the timeless American cowboy and the Jedi Knights from the Star Wars franchise. He is recommending that the two are comparable in some ways, as both are brave figures who defend justice and safeguard the innocent. The cowboy is a sign of the American West, a rugged person who stands up for what is ideal and safeguards the weak. Likewise, the Jedi Knights are a group of effective warriors who use the Force to secure the galaxy from evil. By comparing the 2, Neeson is highlighting the heroic qualities of both figures and suggesting that they are similar in their mission to secure the innocent. He is also expressing his admiration for both characters, as he has actually constantly wished to be a cowboy and is now able to live out his dream through the Jedi Knights.