| STEVEN GERRARD ON LIVERPOOL V REAL MADRID
Ahead of tonight's Champions League second leg clash with Real Madrid, we caught up with captain Steven Gerrard to gauge his pre-match thoughts.
First of all Stevie, how much are the players looking forward to tonight's game?
If you're not looking forward to playing Real Madrid at Anfield in front of 45,000 people who are going to be on the edge of their seats roaring the side on, then you shouldn't be involved.
I can't wait for it, personally. All the lads are talking about it and there was certainly a great feeling and a great buzz going to Madrid. Before the game in the dressing room you could see the lads were really up for it and I'm sure it'll be the same come Tuesday night. It's a massive game for us. We have a big chance to go all the way again and we've got to take it.
How do you reflect on the performance at the Bernabeu two weeks ago?
The result was fantastic. I didn't play for most of the game but you have to give the lads great credit for the result. I don't think the performance was unbelievable but defensively we were solid, the back five were very good and we won the game from a fantastic set piece delivery and a great header. The manager is always on to this team that you can win a game with small details and that's what happened on the night. There wasn't much between the two teams but we won it with a set piece.
You've been in some happy Liverpool dressing rooms over the years - although it's still only half time in the tie, what was the mood like among the players after the first match?
It was fantastic. Unfortunately I didn't have time to enjoy it because I had to have a drugs test which was an absolute nightmare, because I could hear the lads enjoying it in the room next door.
It's so important not to get carried away. It's only half time and we need to keep our feet on the ground. Madrid have got great players who are capable of going anywhere in the world and pulling a result out of the bag. We have to be ready to perform to the same level, if not better, at Anfield.
How much will this team's experience of tight two-legged affairs help you tonight?
When it comes to Europe we've got to be confident. Over the years we have proved we can go anywhere, match any team and beat them. Over two legs we are a very strong team. Defensively and tactically we are spot on and we've got match winners in the side, so there's no reason why we shouldn't be confident on Tuesday night.
You can probably tell by the way I'm speaking that we respect Madrid, we know it's not over and we'll not be taking them lightly.
You have an away goal to protect at Anfield - but presumably you won't be looking just to sit and defend it?
Not at all. I think the next goal in the tie is massive. If Madrid get it then it's game on, and that's exactly what we don't want to happen. We want to make sure we get it and try to kill the tie off.
Madrid hardly created a chance in the first leg - does that say everything about Liverpool's performance on the night?
When we go away in Europe the key point is to be sound defensively and tactically well organised, and that's what we were in the Bernabeu. Defensively we were solid and limited them to long efforts on goal. The idea will be the same on Tuesday, to be strong at the back and try to score another goal.
They have been on an incredible run in La Liga, so how big an achievement would it be to knock them out of this competition?
They are Real Madrid. They are the most successful club there is out there, so to beat them at Anfield and for us to be able to say we have beaten them twice and knocked them out of the Cup would be a big achievement.
You've knocked the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Chelsea, Arsenal and many more out of this competition over recent years. It would be nice to add Real Madrid to that list...
Definitely. We've knocked all of the best sides out over the last few years and we have to make sure we do the same to Real Madrid. I'm sure they're more worried about the tie than us because they know how good we are in Europe.
Surprisingly, Madrid have never played a competitive game at Anfield - are their players in for a shock when they sample the Anfield European atmosphere for the first time?
I don't think they're in for a shock. They've got big players who have played in big atmospheres. I think they will certainly come and enjoy the atmosphere. A lot of players I have spoken to over the years after European nights have said they enjoyed the atmosphere and were slightly shocked and surprised. I'm sure they'll enjoy it, but let's hope they're going back on the plane to Spain upset because we have knocked them out.
The league may have been the priority this season - but I'm sure there's also a burning desire to go all the way to the Champions League final in Rome...
Yes, of course. Going into any competition as a Liverpool player you have to give it your all. Obviously, the league has always been the priority at Liverpool because we haven't won it for a long time and because it's the one people want more than anything, which is understandable.
That doesn't mean the European Cup plays second fiddle. It's a massive trophy to win and it makes the club financially better off if you can win it. It's a very important competition for us.
This is a massive week for Liverpool, with the Madrid match followed by a trip to Old Trafford.
Yes, that's another game to look forward to, but I don't think we should talk about the United game until we have made sure of our place in the last eight. First things first, we've got a massive game against Madrid so let's get the result we want and then put that to bed for a while before focusing back on the league.
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