Joe: Why I don't want Olympiacos repeat
Joe Allen insists Liverpool can draw inspiration from Steven Gerrard's Olympiacos heroics 10 years ago as they prepare for another do-or-die Champions League tussle with FC Basel – but he's hoping for a little less drama this time around.
Monday marked a decade since that incredible night in front of the Kop when the Reds booked their place in the knockout phase of the tournament, en route to lifting the trophy for a fifth time in Istanbul.
Gerrard fired the crucial goal, drilling home a long-range volley with four minutes remaining to secure the 3-1 victory required.
Earlier, Rivaldo's first-half free-kick had put Olympiacos 1-0 up, meaning the hosts needed three goals to progress. Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor came off the bench to net and set up a tense crescendo, before the captain struck home one of the most iconic efforts in the club's history.
But while Allen admits the current crop of Liverpool players can gain encouragement from such illustrious European nights, he's hoping they can turn in a commanding performance against Basel this evening and comfortably move into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, the Welshman said: "It was an incredible moment for Stevie and for the club.
"It's something he's done a few times - but let's hope it doesn't need to be that late and that dramatic, and we can do the business and take ourselves through to the knockout stages.
"It is exciting. It's a game, as players, we all dream of being involved in and look forward to. There is so much riding on it, so much at stake. The club has got a rich history of these types of games, these nights at Anfield, so let's hope it's more of the same.
"You can certainly use the past as inspiration. We know the task, we know we've got to win. We might need that little bit of patience, but we want to make sure the crowd make it as tough a night as possible for Basel and that we throw everything at them."
That patience Allen speaks of could be a key factor for Liverpool should they be unable to break the deadlock in the early stages of the game.
He said: "Of course, we'll set our stall out to get the win from the very start, but it could be a case of being patient.
"It doesn't matter when the goal comes, as long as we've got the win at the end. That's all that matters."
Liverpool go into the showdown unbeaten in their last four matches, during which they've demonstrated a much sturdier rearguard.
Such resoluteness at the back can breed confidence throughout the team, insists Allen.
"It certainly does [breed confidence]," he claimed. "Maybe at times this year we've been so frustrated trying to go and get a goal that we've left ourselves a little bit open, but we've certainly changed that recently. It takes that little bit of doubt out of your game and you can focus on trying to get a goal.
"We've certainly got the ability and talent to score goals. We've shown that in the past. But we're all confident it's only a matter of time before we get back to those levels, and the solid foundation we've had in the last few games has been a positive and will help improve things as we go forward as well."
Liverpool and Basel have already met in Champions League Group B, back in October.
That night at St. Jakob-Park, Marco Streller's early second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for the hosts.
"We won't underestimate them," Allen stated. "We learned a harsh lesson out there, but we've moved forward since then and we're back on our own patch now.
"We have to have the self-belief that we're good enough to overcome them, any challenges they pose us and get ourselves through."
Another factor Allen believes Liverpool will be counting on to help push them over the line is the aura and noise of a European occasion at Anfield.
And, with all the ingredients in place for another etching into folklore, the midfielder can't wait to get the game underway.
"In games like this, the fans have a huge impact and a huge role," he said. "This season was the first chance I got to be involved in Champions League games here at Anfield, and it really does go to a new level.
"As players, we'll be calling on the crowd to give us every little bit of support they can - and we want to make it a night to forget for the Basel players.
"It's been a proud moment to play in a competition like the Champions League. It's probably been a lot tougher than we were hoping - but the main thing is we've still got a chance of getting ourselves through. It's really exciting and from a personal point of view, it's great to be part of it."