'Why we must heed Spurs warning'
Stewart Downing has urged his teammates to ensure they don't commit the same mistakes the last English side to visit the Stade de Suisse made when Liverpool kick off the Europa League group stage against Young Boys tonight.
In August 2010, Young Boys raced to a 3-0 lead within half an hour against Tottenham during the first leg of their Champions League play-off encounter.
Harry Redknapp's men pulled two goals back on the night and were eventual qualifiers after a return leg back in London; however, Downing insists the Reds must guard against an early onslaught from a side that have proven difficult to play against on their home turf.
"We saw them at the start of the season before last against Spurs and it will be a similar sort of team; they're very good at home and I'm sure they will be straight out of the blocks against us," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"We'll be ready for that and that's why it will be a big test for the young lads and why they will have to be right on the mettle from the word go.
"Obviously there are quite a few young lads here and it will be great experience for them. There are a couple of older lads who can help them along the way like me, Carra and Jose. It will be a good game to play in.
"They've been around the squad, they have travelled and they know what it's all about. In terms of the game, I would say to them, 'go out and enjoy it'.
"It's a chance for them to play against some top players and to gain European experience. It's a different type of game to the Premier League - one they will get used to and I'm sure it will be a great experience for them."
Brendan Rodgers told press gathered at the Stade de Suisse on Wednesday that he would not rule out the prospect of players forcing their way into the running to feature against Manchester United on Sunday by putting in a strong performance against Young Boys.
And Downing is keen to seize the opportunity to play his way into the starting XI by turning in a quality performance against the Swiss outfit.
"You want to play every game," he said. "We've not got off to a great start [in the league] but we've had some tough fixtures and if there are places up for grabs, now is our chance to stake a claim and it will be another tough test for us.
"I just want to do well every game and hopefully start tonight and be in contention for the weekend."