Martin: Let's show we can battle the best
Martin Skrtel feels Real Madrid are currently the world's best side and that they possess within their ranks the game's deadliest striker - but it hasn't diminished his belief that Liverpool can match the Spaniards.
Skrtel will hope to make his 18th Champions League appearance for the club at Anfield on Wednesday night when the Reds go in search of a memorable victory against one of the tournament's favourites.
Madrid will be without Gareth Bale after the Welshman was omitted from their squad for the trip to Merseyside; however, Carlo Ancelotti retains a wealth of attacking talent with which to pose problems for Skrtel and co.
The visitors' offensive strength is epitomised by Cristiano Ronaldo, who took his league tally for the season to 15 goals in even appearances when he fired a brace against Levante at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Saturday.
Skrtel knows the challenge facing Brendan Rodgers' side is a daunting one - but the No.37 insists the team will rise to what can be a special occasion and show their quality in the showpiece clash.
"This is what we play for," Skrtel told the Liverpool Echo. "The Champions League is the best competition in the world, because you face the best players in the world. It's a great game, and we will do our best to show we're able to compete with the best, and I believe we can get a result against them.
"For me, Ronaldo is the best in the world, but everyone knows the Real players - in my mind they are the best team in the world. So it is a challenge for us as a team now. You play Real Madrid in the Champions League - of course it's a real challenge. I don't think you can improve their forward line too much."
Liverpool arrive into the clash against Ancelotti's men having recorded consecutive league wins for the first time this season - albeit after being forced to battle hard during a dramatic finale against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
A handful of Skrtel's teammates have joined their manager, Rodgers, in insisting that performance levels must be raised over the coming weeks, particularly on Wednesday, and the Slovakian echoed their calls for adjustments to be made.
"We know it wasn't good enough but we will try to improve," admitted Skrtel. "It wasn't the best performance from us at QPR, we know that and we know we have to try and improve in all ways."