Rodgers: We need to stay calm on Tuesday
Brendan Rodgers will tell his Liverpool players to remain patient and focused amid what promises to be a raucous Anfield atmosphere against FC Basel in Tuesday night's crucial Champions League qualifier.
The manager knows only a victory will be enough to carry the Reds through to the knockout stages of the competition, while a draw or worse in the game would see the reigning Swiss champions qualify at Liverpool's expense.
In order to once again help carry the team over the line, Anfield is set to be awash with colour and rocking from well before kick-off - and Rodgers is urging his squad to feed off the passion from the stands.
However, the Northern Irishman insists there must also be a degree of composure and tact in the Reds' approach as they seek to negotiate beyond a Basel side that has claimed notable scalps in European competition in recent seasons.
"It's a European night and we want to press the game, but we'll have to show patience, because Basel are a good side and they have shown that already over the last few years by beating big teams," Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com.
"We know what we have to do and that's the key. We don't need to play for a draw. We need to win the game. This is a team that is at its best when it's on the front foot. And that's what we'll look to do on Tuesday night."
He added: "The clean sheet against Sunderland was very important for us. It gives more confidence to the players. We defended well, we defended together, we were compact in the game and we kept a clean sheet.
"Tuesday night will be a big night here. We need to qualify. That was the objective at the beginning of the competition. The players are excited and they are looking forward to it. As am I.
"We felt it would maybe come down to this game and that's proven to be the case. So we'll look forward to it. It's important the fans, as always, will give us great support. But it's going to be a night of patience as well."