Lallana: We can get the result we want
Mere hours after touching down in Switzerland ahead of Liverpool's second Champions League fixture of the season, Adam Lallana spoke of the confidence and concentration that the travellers will take into their meeting with FC Basel tomorrow night.
Having kicked off their Group B campaign by narrowly overcoming Ludogorets Razgrad at Anfield, the next challenge lying in wait for Brendan Rodgers' side is an away clash against the team that have been crowned their country's champions in each of the past five years.
Nobody in the Reds camp is underestimating Wednesday's hosts at the St. Jakob-Park stadium, though after an encouraging Merseyside derby performance at the weekend, Lallana believes he and his teammates can approach the tie in positive mood.
"They played Chelsea in the competition last season and I remember watching that," the midfielder said at a pre-match press conference this evening. "We have obviously studied and analysed them.
"But it's also important to focus on ourselves; we're here on the back of a good performance at the weekend. We still think we're improving and going in the right direction.
"It's a huge honour for me to be playing in this competition and for Liverpool. It's where the team belongs. It was great to get our first three points in our first game back in the competition. We're thoroughly looking forward to tomorrow night.
"[The Champions League] gives you more game opportunities to get up to speed and knit with the group and your new teammates.
"It's obviously a tough competition and there are no easy games, but you take the positives out of it. It's extra games for us and hopefully we'll get the right result tomorrow - which we're confident we can do."
Lallana turned in a much-talked-about display as Liverpool were denied a victory over neighbours Everton on Saturday only by a remarkable Phil Jagielka volley into the top corner in stoppage time.
After that clash, the 26-year-old revealed he is ever nearing full fitness following a knee injury that sidelined the Englishman in pre-season - and the No.20 echoed that sentiment before the latest game of a busy schedule.
"I feel I'm more or less there now. It definitely took me a few games to get going," he continued. "As well as being my first few games for Liverpool, I knew it was going to be tough.
"I'm just delighted to be back playing for such a fantastic club, playing in competitions like this as well. It's what I've always dreamed about from when I was a kid. We've got a great chance this year and tomorrow night."
The Reds have met Basel twice previously in competition, during the Champions League group stages of 2002 - and captain Steven Gerrard was involved in both matches 12 years ago.
Lallana admitted that his fellow midfielder had not discussed the experience of a 3-3 draw upon his last journey to the venue, but reiterated why the No.8's presence is so crucial for the squad.
The England international concluded: "It's very important and great for the squad that we've got such a role model as Stevie among the group and playing for us.
"He has been there and done it before, lifting the trophy for the club, so his experience is invaluable for us."