Wednesday 22 October 2014 14:13, UK
Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to take inspiration from their 2009 triumph over Real Madrid when the two teams meet again on Wednesday night.
In March of that year, the Reds skipper scored twice in the 4-0 win over the Spanish gaints – their largest away defeat in Europe – sending Liverpool into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Madrid return to Merseyside on Wednesday night for the groups stages of the tournament and Gerrard admits his side need to produce a similar performance.
"Everyone knows what this club is about and its history and it is very important we keep Champions League football here for as long as we can," he said.
"That was a wonderful evening for myself and the team back in 2009, it was a fabulous team performance and we are looking for the performance level to be similar tomorrow night if we want a positive result.
"It is nights like that which live with you forever; when giants like Real Madrid come into town and you manage to perform really well and get a good result they are fantastic memories.
"Looking back at that game the reason we came out on top is because we were very aggressive both with and without the ball; we pressed from the front and we also had a world-class talent in Fernando Torres who set the tempo on the night and we all came in behind him.
"With all due respect to the team back in 2009, Real Madrid have progressed and improved and, like they showed last year, they are a fantastic team so we have huge respect for the new Real Madrid team.
"This is almost like a bonus game for us - a game we need to enjoy - but I've been around for a long time and I know you only enjoy nights like this when you put in a good performance as a team and we are hoping we surprise and shock a few people tomorrow.
"We are new back in the Champions League, we have only had a couple of games back in so I am not sure Real Madrid will come with any fear, I think they will come in full of confidence.
"I am not sure there are many opponents Real worry about facing at the moment but for us this is a fantastic challenge, one we have worked very hard for.
"We are progressing as a team, we are moving forward and trying to improve."
Madrid are without the injured Gareth Bale, but will include star forward Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks.
Gerrard believes the Portugal international has improved since leaving Manchester United, but insists the Reds will not solely focus on stopping him.
"I think when Cristiano played for Manchester United there were signs in there he was world-class player and the figures he produced for Manchester United were very good but I think his game has gone to another level," he said.
"Now he is arguably the best player in the world, he has improved year by year and the goals he scores now he is setting new records and he is a phenomenal player.
"It is very important we don't go into this game just worrying about Cristiano as it will be very disrespectful to the rest of the Real Madrid team.
"My focus is on my team-mates and the top players that we have got. It is important we try to perform well collectively and try to make it as difficult as we can."
Watch Liverpool v Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday – coverage gets underway on Sky Sports 5 HD at 6pm.
