One thing we have learned from watching Liverpool in Europe over the years is you can never write them off.
But I’m sure every Liverpool fan will admit Rafa Benitez’s side are faced with a massive mountain to climb if they are to continue their run in this season’s Champions League.
Chelsea are now odds on favourites to go through and it would take something really special from Liverpool – probably on a par with the magnificent comeback in Istanbul – for them to get through to the semi-finals.
It is hard to see Chelsea conceding three at home, particularly given the way they performed at Anfield, but every single Liverpool player must go to Stamford Bridge ready to play for pride and with a genuine belief they can turn things around.
It might be that Benitez has to do something to get a reaction from his players, something that gets them really wound up and ready to go out there with a desire to put the record straight.
I can remember when I was managing Tranmere and we were 3-0 down at home to Southampton in the FA Cup. At half-time I had some harsh words with the players and some cups got thrown around and they went out and won 4-3.
You don’t expect something like that to happen but you can never give up and you have to keep going no matter how bad the situation might be.
If Liverpool are looking for inspiration then their recent victory over Manchester United should do the trick.
Winning 4-1 at the home of the reigning champions is an incredible result and it proved that on their day Liverpool can produce the kind of performance which even the very best cannot live with.
Another positive is that while Chelsea will be without John Terry we will have Javier Mascherano back.
I don’t think you could overstate just how badly Mascherano was missed in the first leg and having him back will be a massive boost. While Chelsea are unlikely to be as solid at the back without Terry who is a big influence for them.
If Liverpool can get even a one goal lead by half time then who knows what might happen? But they will have to defend a hell of a lot better than they did at Anfield if they are to stand a chance.
It is up to Rafa to come up with a strategy and to instill a belief in the team that they can still win.
This Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster and as ever my thoughts will be with the families and friends of the 96 who lost their lives that terrible day.
I can’t believe that 20 years have passed and I’m sure Anfield will be packed for the annual memorial service because people have not forgotten what happened at Hillsborough and I’m sure they never will.
THE best way Liverpool can respond to what happened on Wednesday night would be to go out and beat Blackburn today.
We need three points to keep up the title challenge and if we get them then it will be interesting to see how Manchester United react.
They’re going through a bit of an iffy period just now and they’ve looked visibly tired of late so Liverpool have to try and put as much pressure on them as they can.
Blackburn will come to Anfield and try to get at us but if Liverpool get back to their best then they should have too much.
But I’m sure every Liverpool fan will admit Rafa Benitez’s side are faced with a massive mountain to climb if they are to continue their run in this season’s Champions League.
Chelsea are now odds on favourites to go through and it would take something really special from Liverpool – probably on a par with the magnificent comeback in Istanbul – for them to get through to the semi-finals.
It is hard to see Chelsea conceding three at home, particularly given the way they performed at Anfield, but every single Liverpool player must go to Stamford Bridge ready to play for pride and with a genuine belief they can turn things around.
It might be that Benitez has to do something to get a reaction from his players, something that gets them really wound up and ready to go out there with a desire to put the record straight.
I can remember when I was managing Tranmere and we were 3-0 down at home to Southampton in the FA Cup. At half-time I had some harsh words with the players and some cups got thrown around and they went out and won 4-3.
You don’t expect something like that to happen but you can never give up and you have to keep going no matter how bad the situation might be.
If Liverpool are looking for inspiration then their recent victory over Manchester United should do the trick.
Winning 4-1 at the home of the reigning champions is an incredible result and it proved that on their day Liverpool can produce the kind of performance which even the very best cannot live with.
Another positive is that while Chelsea will be without John Terry we will have Javier Mascherano back.
I don’t think you could overstate just how badly Mascherano was missed in the first leg and having him back will be a massive boost. While Chelsea are unlikely to be as solid at the back without Terry who is a big influence for them.
If Liverpool can get even a one goal lead by half time then who knows what might happen? But they will have to defend a hell of a lot better than they did at Anfield if they are to stand a chance.
It is up to Rafa to come up with a strategy and to instill a belief in the team that they can still win.
This Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster and as ever my thoughts will be with the families and friends of the 96 who lost their lives that terrible day.
I can’t believe that 20 years have passed and I’m sure Anfield will be packed for the annual memorial service because people have not forgotten what happened at Hillsborough and I’m sure they never will.
THE best way Liverpool can respond to what happened on Wednesday night would be to go out and beat Blackburn today.
We need three points to keep up the title challenge and if we get them then it will be interesting to see how Manchester United react.
They’re going through a bit of an iffy period just now and they’ve looked visibly tired of late so Liverpool have to try and put as much pressure on them as they can.
Blackburn will come to Anfield and try to get at us but if Liverpool get back to their best then they should have too much.
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