Thursday 19 February 2015 10:51, UK
Daniel Sturridge admits he 'can't wait' to make his European debut after injury ruled him out of Liverpool's last two campaigns on the continent.
Brendan Rodgers' side face Turkish leaders Besiktas in the Europa League last-32 tie this evening, the consolation prize for failing in the Champions League before Christmas.
Calf and thigh injuries kept the England striker out for nearly five months, injuries which required treament in the United States forcing him to watch Liverpool’s unsuccessful stint in the premier competition from the sidelines.
But the 25-year-old has returned to full fitness and is looking forward to an “exciting” European debut at Anfield.
"I can't wait to finally get out there and actually have my debut with Liverpool in Europe,” he said.
"I've waited such a long time to play this game, it has been very difficult for myself to sit out and watch all those games we have played in the Champions League without being part of it, very, very hard.
"But it doesn't make us any less determined because it's the Europa League. It is not a joke to us, believe me, it doesn't mean we are any less serious. We want to win it, we want success.
"I've sat in the stands and seen Anfield on a European night, and I am looking forward to tasting that atmosphere - I am looking forward to the game so much and it is going to be exciting for me. I can't wait."
Besiktas, the Turkish Super Lig leaders arrive at Anfield looking to make up for their 8-0 Champions League hammering on the ground in 2007 but manager Slaven Bilic insists that is not their motivating factor.
"Revenge is not a word which should be used in football or sport," Bilic said. "What happened was written in the records but even then, and this is where football is magnificent, a couple of weeks before that Besiktas beat Liverpool 2-1 in Istanbul.
"That is in the past. Most of our players were kids then so there is no pressure whatsoever."
