Boss seeking Europa League success
Brendan Rodgers will send his Liverpool team out to face Besiktas on Thursday night with the same trophy-seeking approach that has defined their cup exploits this season.
The Reds were narrowly eliminated at the penultimate hurdle in the Capital One Cup, an extra-time goal at Stamford Bridge swinging the semi-final pendulum in Chelsea's favour.
In the FA Cup, meanwhile, Rodgers' charges are sailing strong after setting up a last eight contest at home to Blackburn Rovers by overcoming Crystal Palace 2-1 at the weekend.
On the continental front, they begin a Europa League campaign tomorrow evening by welcoming Turkish contenders Besiktas to Anfield in the Round of 32.
The manager spoke to gathered media at the stadium this afternoon and outlined why this game, the overall tie and the tournament will be taken very seriously by Liverpool.
"I said at the beginning of the season that one of the objectives for us was to win a trophy," the Northern Irishman told reporters.
"Hopefully you'll have seen from the efforts that we've put into the cup competitions that we want to do everything we can to win a trophy.
"This competition is no different - it's a very prestigious competition and a competition that we want to do well in.
"It is a tough game against Besiktas, a team that are obviously very strong in their own country; they have got good experience of playing games in this country, you saw their recent games against Tottenham and Arsenal.
"So we know it will be a tough game, but it's very much about looking to take a lead into the second leg, looking to win the game here in the best way that we can.
"We're very confident at the moment in terms of our performance. Our focus is really only the next game.
"The players over a number of games have been absolutely fantastic. We just want to continue with this mentality and performance level."
Slaven Bilic's Besiktas currently top the standings of the competitive Turkish top flight, one point ahead of Fenerbahce and two clear of Galatasaray.
They have already shown evidence of their credentials in the meetings with Arsenal and Tottenham that the boss mentioned, so he is expecting a challenge.
Rodgers said: "They play in a system that is effective - the front four, with Demba Ba as the reference at the top of the pitch, and the other three players in behind that move well around the team.
"They are solid behind that and they showed that in the two games against Tottenham, that they are defensively strong. They are a team that is used to winning so they have a mentality which is to win.
"Any time they have come up against an English team recently, they have always made it very difficult. They are a good side and we expect a tough game over the two legs."
Liverpool have thrived in domestic football with a 3-4-3 formation during the past two months, losing only once in the past 16 fixtures.
Rodgers was asked at his pre-match briefing whether the same system would be utilised to navigate this European encounter, and whether it can maintain effectiveness.
"We'll find out, if we play that way," he responded. "It's a way of working that suits our players.
"There is no tougher league than the Premier League - it's a really tough competition with top-class players and outstanding managers. It has worked very well.
"If we decide to play that way in the European competitions, we'll hold no fear. The system is irrelevant; for us, it's more about the return of our identity as a team and our style of football, which is ultimately out there to win games.
"Of course, over the two games that's what we're looking to do - get through into the next stage."