Rodgers: It'll feel like 100,000 fans
Brendan Rodgers believes the atmosphere inside Anfield on Thursday night will feel like there are 100,000 supporters packed into the stadium.
The boss is confident that the Europa League last 32 second leg against Zenit St Petersburg can prove to be a special occasion, with the first goal vitally important.
Trailing 2-0 from the first encounter at the Petrovsky Stadium seven days ago, Rodgers' side will have to score at least twice this evening to have any chance of setting up a tie with FC Basel or Dnipro.
Qualification remains thoroughly possible according to Rodgers, who admitted that Liverpool will need the crowd's support more than ever before this season.
"The noise level is so important. There'll be 40,000 here and with the roar that can feel like 100,000 people," the manager told Liverpoolfc.com.
"That's the uniqueness of Anfield and the supporters - that's why this football club is renowned worldwide. We need that more than ever.
"The players on the pitch will do the supporters proud and I'm sure the supporters will all get together as one, and we can make it a really special occasion.
"The history of the club is based on great European nights. Of course we would rather have the game in a better situation but it should be really exciting for us.
"The crowd will have a big part to play - we've seen over the years that the crowd have basically won games here. We'll need them more than any other time so far.
"This is a ground that is renowned worldwide. One of the first things I did before I went for my press conference to be announced as manager was have a walk around the ground to take it all in. It's a special place, a cathedral."
Almost two years ago, Rodgers climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity.
Scaling more than 19,000 feet is an altogether different challenge to overcoming a two-goal deficit in Europe - but the Northern Irishman thinks his team can emulate his achievement.
"We've got a mountain to climb, but we can get up there. It's a difficult ask - they're a good side. If we can get that first goal, it could be a really special night," the 40-year-old added.
"It's important that we stay focused and patient, and the crowd stay patient. We don't need to win the game in the first 10 minutes or get two goals in the first 10. We've got 90 minutes and possibly extra time.
"The first goal is important. We talked to the players about the gameplan and broke it into the stages of the game.
"In the first 20 minutes it's important for us to score - but if we don't, then we have to stay patient. What's important is that we don't concede.
"So I wouldn't say an early goal, I would say the first goal. We've already shown this season that if we can get that we can go on and score goals."
With that in mind, what will Rodgers' final rallying call be to his charges as they leave the dressing room?
"'Go and do your best'.
"We put ourselves in a position where we were reasonably comfortable in the game out there. On 69 minutes there were two lapses of concentration and we conceded two goals.
"But we saw enough in the game to know that we can score and create chances. If we can score at the right moment in the game then this could be a fantastic night for us.
"I've got no doubt that we can win the game and the tie. As long as the players give their best and everything for the shirt, we can ask for no more."