'Hosts respect Real, but won't be walked over'
Wednesday 22 October 2014 15:51, UK
Steven Gerrard says Liverpool respect Real Madrid – but won’t let the Champions League holders have things all their own way on Wednesday night.
We’re here to enjoy the game but we’re not here to be walked all over, we want to give a good account of ourselves.
Liverpool famously hammered the Spanish giants 4-0 when the teams last met at Anfield in 2009 but Real’s star-studded side arrive on Merseyside this week for the Sky Live encounter billed as favourites to take all three points from the Group B fixture.
Gerrard concedes his side are underdogs, though the Reds captain says Liverpool are determined to show they are not far behind the current champions of Europe.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, he said: “We’re the underdogs in this game and the pressure is on Madrid to come here and beat us.
"That’s what a lot of neutrals are expecting but to give you an idea of what we’re thinking, this is a bonus game for us, a game we worked really hard for last year.
“These are the games we want. Now we have to go and show to people that the gap is not that big from us to Madrid.
“We’re here to enjoy the game but we’re not here to be walked all over, we want to give a good account of ourselves.”
Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo – who is in touching distance of Raul’s Champions League goals record – is Real’s obvious threat and Gerrard says Liverpool need no reminding of how destructive he can be.
However, the midfielder says his team’s prime focus is on stepping up their performance levels from Sunday’s 3-2 win at QPR and making sure they’re at the top of their game for what should be a memorable Anfield occasion.
“Cristiano Ronaldo seems like he’s gone to another level again, which is crazy,” Gerrard said of the forward, who has netted 19 goals in 12 appearances this season.
“His goal scoring record is phenomenal. [We have] huge respect for him individually and also collectively for Real Madrid.
“All the players are aware how good this team is that’s coming to town and we all know we need to raise our game, not just defensively but as a team as a whole, with or without the ball. We have to be right on it.”
Watch the extended version of this interview on Sky Go and via the Sky Sports for iPad App. It will also be available On Demand from 7pm.
Watch Liverpool v Real Madrid from 6pm tonight on Sky Sports 5, while Anderlecht v Arsenal is on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm.
