Xabi Alonso believes that Liverpool have to score at Real Madrid to give themselves a good chance of winning their UEFA Champions League tie.
Rafa Benitez's men travel to El Santiago Bernabeu next week and Spanish midfielder Alonso feels the La Liga outfit are better at the back under Juande Ramos.
The Reds' playmaker knows exactly what Los Merengues have to offer and recognised that an away goal could be crucial to their chances of triumphing.
"For us it is important that we score in the Bernabeu because that gives you something for the second game at Anfield and gives us more options to go through," he told Radio Marca.
"If we do not score then it could limit us for the return leg because if we then concede at home it will make things very difficult.
"I think it will be a very even tie and a great one to watch for the fans.
"Madrid have improved a lot defensively under Juande as they let in less goals and that will be something to think about.
"But we have good players and we expect to score and go through."
Goalkeeper Pepe Reina was also present with Alonso and he feels that things could be cagey as both sides, in his opinion, know how to defend better than they attack.
"I do not think that there will be many goals in the tie," he explained. "I am sure that they are in great form and it will be difficult to score against them.
"It will be very tight with few chances and the games will be decided in the details. Both teams are better at defending than attacking."
Steven Gerrard is facing a race to be fit for the first game and Reina hopes that the Liverpool captain makes it back in time to play.
"He will be doubtful until close to the game, but nothing has been decided. We hope that he recovers in time because he is a player that can win games," he added.
"I believe that he is not only one of the best players at Liverpool but also in world football."
Rafa Benitez's men travel to El Santiago Bernabeu next week and Spanish midfielder Alonso feels the La Liga outfit are better at the back under Juande Ramos.
The Reds' playmaker knows exactly what Los Merengues have to offer and recognised that an away goal could be crucial to their chances of triumphing.
"For us it is important that we score in the Bernabeu because that gives you something for the second game at Anfield and gives us more options to go through," he told Radio Marca.
"If we do not score then it could limit us for the return leg because if we then concede at home it will make things very difficult.
"I think it will be a very even tie and a great one to watch for the fans.
"Madrid have improved a lot defensively under Juande as they let in less goals and that will be something to think about.
"But we have good players and we expect to score and go through."
Goalkeeper Pepe Reina was also present with Alonso and he feels that things could be cagey as both sides, in his opinion, know how to defend better than they attack.
"I do not think that there will be many goals in the tie," he explained. "I am sure that they are in great form and it will be difficult to score against them.
"It will be very tight with few chances and the games will be decided in the details. Both teams are better at defending than attacking."
Steven Gerrard is facing a race to be fit for the first game and Reina hopes that the Liverpool captain makes it back in time to play.
"He will be doubtful until close to the game, but nothing has been decided. We hope that he recovers in time because he is a player that can win games," he added.
"I believe that he is not only one of the best players at Liverpool but also in world football."
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