'We learnt from that Chelsea defeat'

As Jose Mourinho's side prepare to visit L4 this afternoon, memories are still fresh from their 2-0 victory at Anfield last season, which was to prove a major blow in the Reds losing out to Manchester City in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.

But Marsh has revealed how the squad has used such an experience to focus their attentions and has spoken about the importance of trying to get a positive result against the table-toppers ahead of the international break.

In our exclusive chat with the first-team coach at Melwood, Marsh also reflects on the midweek trip to Madrid, and tells us why staying the extra night could prove to be beneficial...

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Mike, you've had a little time to reflect on the midweek game in Madrid. Looking back on the game as staff how do you reflect on the performance?

Obviously we're disappointed we lost the game and the criticism that has come with it, but I thought we put up a good effort against the European champions away from home.

The manager said after the game you were perhaps worthy of a point, so is that the feeling now a couple of days on?

Yes, maybe so. When you look back on it Madrid had a lot of the ball and a lot of chances but on the night I thought we defended particularly well. We set out with a game plan to try and keep it tight which we did. We were unfortunate to lose a goal early in the game, but we were still in the game in the end and we had one or two chances which we could have nicked something from, but in reality they are a very good side and they are a difficult side to peg back once they go ahead and unfortunately we got nothing.

They average around four goals a game at the Bernabeu and not many sides stop Cristiano Ronaldo from scoring...

It's been a while since he hadn't scored - it's been 11 or 12 games - so we know how good a side they are and how difficult it is against them. They proved when they came to Anfield what a good side they are so we knew what we were up against from the first whistle.

A few of the boys got a chance to show what they could do on Tuesday night and it has given the manager food for thought for the weekend. What are your thoughts and is there a chance that some of them could be in contention for the Chelsea game?

Well that's the case for every game and with every training session. They are always putting themselves forward to play in the next game. I know we made several changes in midweek but we were putting international players into the starting 11 and it wasn't as if we were just putting young players in. They all had international experience and they did themselves a power of good and I'm sure it has given the manager something to think about.

How do you assess Group B now and is it any different to how you expected it to be at this stage?

We would have liked a couple of more points, obviously, but that's not the case. We know we have got to over and get a positive result away to Ludogorets Razgrad and then it will be all to play for in the final game against Basel.

How much did it help preparations for the weekend staying that extra night in Madrid?

Time will tell. The U19 team flew back after the game and didn't get back until 4.30am, so that's how difficult it is playing away from home. We stayed overnight and trained at Real Madrid's training complex the following day and we could have a longer session than we normally do because we didn't have to come off a flight, so with a little bit of luck that will bode well for Saturday.

Is that one of the things as staff that you are learning from and feeling your way in this inaugural Champions League campaign?

We were playing in the Europa League not so long ago, so we are well aware of the type of training you can do before and after these games, and you do have to take the travel into consideration. So to stay out there and train at Real Madrid's training complex was ideal really.

You mentioned the U19 squad. How much pride have you taken from their progress so far and they were unlucky to lose in Madrid as for large parts of that game they dominated, didn't they?

They have been excellent. Unfortunately I could only see the first half because we were preparing for our game, but I thought the first half was 50-50. They played really well against a difficult opponent but it was a fantastic experience for them playing in such a fantastic competition.

Chelsea at home then this Saturday. How do you reflect on the Anfield meeting with them last season now that time has passed?

It was a difficult game, they came here and made it difficult for us and they were fortunate in the end to come away with the three points. Probably on reflection a point would have been a fair result but it wasn't to be and we'll be better for the experience.

Is that one of the most frustrating afternoons you have encountered throughout your career?

It was difficult but like I said we will be better for it. They came here, sat back and defended but on the day we weren't good enough to break their defence down. In hindsight maybe we didn't have to but as staff and as a team we have learned from that and we'll go on from here.

Is there a sense of revenge this weekend or is that a word that coaches don't like to use?

I wouldn't say revenge but we know it's going to be a difficult game. They are top of the league and haven't been beaten in 16 games, so we know it's going to be a very tough game, but we are at home and are looking forward to it and we will try to win the game.

What do we need to do to try and upset Chelsea's recent form because they have been very impressive in the Premier League?

They have but we've been working on one or two things so with a bit of luck that will come to fruition on Saturday and you'll see for yourself.

It's been stop-start for us this season so what would a victory over Chelsea, the league leaders, do in terms of the springboard and kick-starting things for us?

It would be nice to get a positive result and it would kick us on for when we come back after the international break. It has been a little bit disjointed for one reason or another, so ideally we put in a good performance at the weekend, put in the right performance and we go from there.