BR: Spirit will see us rise to Real task

The manager conceded he was dissatisfied with his team's performance in Sunday's clash at Queens Park Rangers, despite them emerging as 3-2 victors in dramatic circumstances at Loftus Road.

It will be a challenge of different sorts on Wednesday evening when in-form Real Madrid arrive on Merseyside, but buoyed by what will surely be a lively Anfield atmosphere, Rodgers is optimistic all the ingredients are there to bring out the best of the Reds.

He told his pre-match press conference: "We understand it is a very important game for us and it's obviously a great challenge for us. The good thing about this group is we really lift ourselves for the big games.

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"We haven't got to the levels of last season yet, of course, for many reasons - but this is a special game and a special competition for us. I'm very confident the great competitors our team has in it will rise to the standard of playing against an outstanding Real Madrid team."

After two games in Champions League Group B, Liverpool have picked up three points.

A hard-fought matchday one victory over Ludogorets Razgrad at Anfield was followed up by a frustrating 1-0 reversal in Basel earlier this month.

Now back at Anfield, Rodgers was eager to highlight the importance of picking up as many points as possible on home soil as the Reds look to progress into the knockout phase.

"Coming into the competition, our home games were very, very important for us," he said. "We didn't play so well away from home in the game against Basel, but should have got something from that game. You look at the home games in this competition as an opportunity to get the points.

"We aren't playing as well as we have done, but what people maybe haven't seen and focused on, whilst we've been building a style of football here and principals in the game, underpinning all of that has been character and spirit.

"At the moment, it's been that character and spirit that has allowed us to win games. Tomorrow night we're going to need that, plus the quality of our football. If we can do that at home, it's another step towards us qualifying out of the group."

With Anfield's trophy room packed out by the world's media, journalists were eager to quiz Rodgers on his plans to deal with the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 20 goals in all competitions for club and country already this season.

"It's going to be a very difficult game for us," he replied. "They're a squad full of top-class players.

"He's a special talent, Cristiano Ronaldo - he's arguably the best player in the world at the moment. His evolution over the last number of years from a soloist who scores goals to being a goalscorer is there to see. His record is incredible.

"We have to make a plan for our team first to ensure we cause Real Madrid problems. Then, of course, you have to prepare for the quality players they have, but that will be as a team and that is something we'll focus on going into the game."

One man Liverpool will not face is Gareth Bale. The Wales international has not travelled to Merseyside for the game due to injury.

Rodgers reflected: "Gareth Bale is a world-class player. He is someone who has fantastic speed and talent, and if he's not playing it can be an advantage to ourselves.

"But with the squad Real Madrid have, it's a fantastic squad, they can bring in players like Isco and other players, so I don't think it's really an advantage if he doesn't play. They've got a great squad and will certainly test us in the game."

Meanwhile, Rodgers was asked by reporters whether he felt Mario Balotelli would be viewing the showdown with Madrid as a chance to start hitting the goal trail.

The Italy striker was culpable of spurning a chance he'd normally snaffle up at QPR, but the boss has faith he will soon start turning the ball into the back of the net on a consistent basis.

"He's been fine. Of course, he was disappointed after the weekend. He's a goalscorer and wants to score goals, but the point I highlighted to him was that he was in the positions to miss," explained Rodgers.

"He was arriving in the areas and I think it's only a matter of time before he gets his goals.

"He's a good kid who is working hard. He's focused and getting himself out on the training field, which is important, and he's scored goals in big games.

"I'm sure he'll go into the game tomorrow night, if selected, looking forward to getting off the mark again and as long as he's in there with the possibilities to score, I have every confidence he can score."

Like much of the rest of the United Kingdom, Liverpool was battered by high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo throughout Tuesday.

One Spanish reporter jokingly asked Rodgers whether he was more concerned by the adverse weather conditions or the attacking threat posed by Real.

He responded: "The hurricane will be on the field, for sure. Both teams will be looking to win the game, both teams will be working hard to get the points and we are really looking forward to the challenge of Real Madrid with the great players they have.

"But I also have some world-class players that have great quality. It should be a fantastic, exciting game and we look forward to it."