Stevie: Let's make them uncomfortable
Real Madrid's last visit to Anfield proved famously uncomfortable for the Spanish giants as a Steven Gerrard-inspired Liverpool racked up a 4-0 thrashing – and, on their return, the captain is hoping to utilise the same tools as in 2009.
The talismanic No.8 was the heartbeat of a relentless Reds display five-and-a-half years ago, breaking down the visitors' will and fight with a sense of urgency, a commitment to defend the club's colours and the interests of Kopites.
He slammed in a penalty to double a lead established by Fernando Torres before half-time, and raced onto a Ryan Babel delivery from the left to wallop a perfect finish into the roof of the net for his second and the side's third. Andrea Dossena completed the rout.
Anfield was raucous and rightly so, and it is that combination of spirit between the men out on the field and the supporters providing the backing from the stands that Gerrard believes could prove the undoing of Real once again this evening.
"We showed last year against big opponents at Anfield, with the crowd behind us we can perform at a top level," the skipper explained in an exclusive chat with Liverpoolfc.com inside the arena that will become the eye of a storm.
"I have more confidence in my teammates the bigger the game. We know how difficult the game is going to be but I'm really confident we can surprise a few people because we are a good team.
"We've had a stuttering season so far, but I just have confidence that the players are going to be up for this one. Every time there has been a big question asked of this squad we have always risen to the occasion and done really well.
"We always seem to play better the better the opposition are. You don't need much motivation when big hitters like Real Madrid come into town. We have got huge respect for them, they have got some of the best players in the world and it's going to be a very tough evening.
"We'll have to wait and see how the game pans out but we've got to go into it with belief in ourselves, we can't go in with any fear because sides like this and players like this can inflict pain if you don't go in with the right mentality."
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Gerrard spoke repeatedly last season of his wish to compete in the Champions League again, talking passionately of his appreciation for the elite competition as Brendan Rodgers' team crept further and further up the Barclays Premier League table.
That desire to end a five-year absence from the tournament was not one rooted in personal ambitions, however. No, the midfielder's determination was borne of a duty to his peers, management and fans.
The Englishman, who will make an 84th appearance at this level on Wednesday, continued: "I wanted games like this back for the supporters, my teammates and also Brendan and the staff to sample Champions League football.
"We worked so hard last season to get into the top four and that was the dream - to have the calibre of opposition like Real Madrid coming to town for special occasions. But my experience is that they only become special occasions if you get the right result.
"I've got a big role to play but everyone who is selected to play has got to perform to their maximum. If we're to come out with maximum points or take a point away from this game, we need everyone.
"In 2009, they had some star players and we didn't give them a chance to settle; we used the fans and the atmosphere to get in their faces and make it a very uncomfortable evening for them.
"It is going to be important that the fans are right behind us in this game, but the key to it is having as many players as possible out of our XI right on top form."