Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is confident his side can overcome Group D opponents Atletico Madrid as they go in search of their second UEFA Champions League trophy in four years.
The Reds travel to the Spanish capital following days of uncertainty as to where the fixture would actually be played, with Uefa issuing the club with a stadium ban after the scenes which occurred in the side's fixture with Marseille.
The governing body eventually relented having issued Atletico with a significant fine, and the Vicente Calderon stadium will play host to the two sides expected to progress from the group into the knock-out phase of the tournament.
While England international Gerrard is expecting a difficult match, he remains confident that The Reds can rely on the knowledge of their Spanish contingent to overcome a Javier Aguirre side demolished 6-1 by Barcelona a fortnight ago.
"Atletico are a dangerous team. They have built well over the last two seasons and certainly spent their money well," Gerrard said.
"Speaking to our Spanish lads, Fernando and the boys, they tell me the atmosphere can be electric there.
"It is certainly a game we're all looking forward to, but we realise it will be very tough for us.
"But we have proved over the last few years in Europe what a good side we are.
"We are a match for anyone over two legs. Having that confidence and knowledge that we are a good side spurs us on even more and we know that teams don't want to play against us."
The clash will see Gerrard re-united with Luis Garcia, another of the club's heroes from the 2005 Champions League final victory over AC Milan, along with Florent Sinama-Pongolle, and the midfielder will keep a close eye on both players should they appear for Atletico.
He added: "I've always kept in touch with Luis and Flo since they left us.
"I exchange text messages with them quite a bit. If I see they have scored or done well in a match I will always send a message.
"They are two very good guys in the game. We will definitely have to be wary of them, we know exactly what Luis is capable of and what he did for us in Europe. He can pull off moments of magic.
"And Flo's game has improved so much since he left us. He initially went to Recreativo Huelva and did well there, and that won him the move to Madrid.
"If they are both playing, we will have to keep a close eye on both of them."
The Reds travel to the Spanish capital following days of uncertainty as to where the fixture would actually be played, with Uefa issuing the club with a stadium ban after the scenes which occurred in the side's fixture with Marseille.
The governing body eventually relented having issued Atletico with a significant fine, and the Vicente Calderon stadium will play host to the two sides expected to progress from the group into the knock-out phase of the tournament.
While England international Gerrard is expecting a difficult match, he remains confident that The Reds can rely on the knowledge of their Spanish contingent to overcome a Javier Aguirre side demolished 6-1 by Barcelona a fortnight ago.
"Atletico are a dangerous team. They have built well over the last two seasons and certainly spent their money well," Gerrard said.
"Speaking to our Spanish lads, Fernando and the boys, they tell me the atmosphere can be electric there.
"It is certainly a game we're all looking forward to, but we realise it will be very tough for us.
"But we have proved over the last few years in Europe what a good side we are.
"We are a match for anyone over two legs. Having that confidence and knowledge that we are a good side spurs us on even more and we know that teams don't want to play against us."
The clash will see Gerrard re-united with Luis Garcia, another of the club's heroes from the 2005 Champions League final victory over AC Milan, along with Florent Sinama-Pongolle, and the midfielder will keep a close eye on both players should they appear for Atletico.
He added: "I've always kept in touch with Luis and Flo since they left us.
"I exchange text messages with them quite a bit. If I see they have scored or done well in a match I will always send a message.
"They are two very good guys in the game. We will definitely have to be wary of them, we know exactly what Luis is capable of and what he did for us in Europe. He can pull off moments of magic.
"And Flo's game has improved so much since he left us. He initially went to Recreativo Huelva and did well there, and that won him the move to Madrid.
"If they are both playing, we will have to keep a close eye on both of them."
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