Jordan: Why Reds won't fear champions
Jordan Henderson has promised that Liverpool will harbour no fears when they walk out at Anfield for a momentous meeting with the reigning European champions Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Liverpool have met Spain's most successful side three times in their history and on each occasion, the Reds have emerged victorious - winning in the European Cup final of 1981 and clinching wins home and away in 2009.
However, Carlo Ancelotti's men, who lifted the Champions League in dramatic fashion following a stunning extra-time flourish against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon earlier this year, arrive on Merseyside in simply scintillating form.
Los Blancos have transformed from the team that made a faltering start to the current La Liga campaign, winning one of their first three games, into an outfit that has blown sides away in both domestic and European competition.
The last seven matches have seen seven victories and 32 goals from a team inspired by the likes of Gareth Bale, who misses the Anfield tie through injury, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has three hat-tricks in his last five outings.
"It will be a tough game for us, we know that, but it's one we can go into and play with no fear and really show everybody how good a team we are," Henderson told Liverpoolfc.com. "Everybody will be looking forward to it.
"When you come to Liverpool, you realise how big a club it is. Liverpool should be playing against the best teams in the world and doing well against them. I think we've got the quality to do that; I think we can go far in the competition.
"So when Real Madrid come to Anfield, we need to make sure we give everything and our performance level is high. If we do that, then I'm sure we'll have a good chance of getting a good result."
Henderson's phenomenal rise from newcomer finding his feet in the first team to an integral part of the manager's philosophy has continued at a steady rate since the 2014-15 campaign got underway two months ago.
The day before the 24-year-old savoured his first taste of Champions League football against Ludogorets Razgrad in September, Brendan Rodgers moved to install the industrious midfielder as understudy to Steven Gerrard in the club's vice-captain role.
His energy shone through as the Reds endured a mixed month results-wise and the England international's efforts were duly recognised by supporters, who voted him Standard Chartered Player of the Month for the first time in his Reds career.
Now, Henderson has the chance to experience something truly exhilarating on Wednesday night - the sights and sounds of the Kop announcing its return at the very highest level as the 10-time European Cup winners roll into town.
"It's obviously exciting," continued Henderson. "You want to be playing against the best teams and players in the world, and Real Madrid are certainly that. It will definitely be up there [as a career high].
"As a player, to improve you need to be playing against the best players and teams in the world. So I'll be looking forward to the game and testing myself against the best players in the world."