Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Steven Gerrard has warned his team-mates there is no room for “passengers” as Liverpool FC look to stun Real Madrid at Anfield tomorrow night.

The talismanic skipper insists the Reds are capable of beating the European champions but only if every member of Brendan Rodgers’ side rises to the occasion.

“Everyone who is picked to play – from the 11 in the starting line up to the subs – everyone has to be on their game,” Gerrard said.

“We are playing against the best side in Europe and if we have two or three passengers we could get beat convincingly.

“It can become embarrassing against sides like this who are deadly away from home on the counter attack. We need to be right on it and that applies to me personally as well.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s men arrive on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions and during that run they have plundered 32 goals.

Press conference in pictures:

In stark contrast, Liverpool have struggled for form with their defensive frailties exposed in Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 league win at lowly Queens Park Rangers.

The bookies have already written the Reds off as 7/2 outsiders but Gerrard’s belief isn’t based on blind faith. The long-serving midfielder believes the bigger the contest, the better Rodgers’ men perform and they have the small matter of the Anfield factor to drive them on.

“I think most places Real Madrid go with the current players and the form they are in, they are expected to win,” Gerrard said,

“I understand those opinions. But football is football, shocks are there, upsets happen.

“Yes, we understand we are the underdogs but with the atmosphere we have here and the players raising their game for a game like this I think it is possible to cause an upset.

“When big questions get asked of this team, especially last year when big hitters come to town, we raised our games.

“I think the fans raised theirs, we raised ours and I think we put in some really good performances. I think a performance is due now.

Watch: Gerrard on why he never joined Madrid

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“The performance at QPR wasn’t good enough, everyone knows that, but I think everyone will respect that when Real Madrid come into town it is a different game to get yourself up for.

“I think every player in the dressing room realises that we can’t have any passengers against opposition like this or we will get beat convincingly.”

Gerrard was part of the Liverpool side who famously delivered a 4-0 thrashing to Real to advance 5-0 on aggregate when the clubs last met in March 2009.

In the five and a half years since that remarkable demolition, when Gerrard scored twice, Anfield has only hosted a further five Champions League matches.

During the club’s painful absence from Europe’s elite the captain feared he may never experience another night like tomorrow evening.

“Looking back at 2009, the reason we came out on top is because we were very aggressive both with and without ball,” said Gerrard.

“We pressed from the front and we had a world class talent in Fernando Torres who set the tempo on the night. We all came in behind him.

“We forced Real Madrid into mistakes and our finishing on the night was clinical.

“I think a couple of years ago and with the age I was at, I thought maybe my Champions League days were behind me.

“But when Brendan Rodgers came in and I spoke to him in a couple of meetings before we got started and saw his plans moving forward, I thought there was a chance it would come back.

“I think for all the hard work he has done and the lads have done, we deserve nights like these.

“I just hope no-one from the outside thinks we are just going into these games to enjoy ourselves and settle for being in the Champions League.

“I know they are top opposition and probably the best side in Europe but we want to give a good account of ourselves.

“There are a lot of opinions from the outside on this team and how we have played so far this season and this is a great opportunity for us to put in a really strong performance.”

Trying to contain Real’s star-studded front six of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco, James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema is a daunting prospect.

Ronaldo has scored 18 goals in his last 10 games for club and country but Gerrard knows that Ancelotti’s side are beatable. Both Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid have claimed their scalp in La Liga so far this season.

“We won’t go in worrying about their big names, you have to embrace it and say to yourself we are a good team as well,” said Gerrard, who will make his 84th Champions League appearance.

“Real Madrid have been beaten twice this season already so it’s not impossible. They do have off nights and we have a big advantage in our fans.

“I’d prefer it if they had an off night, but if we want the result then it is about how we perform.

“I am pretty confident that we can surprise and shock a few people but that is how I am. I go into games with optimism rather than fearing individuals and the opposition.

“Individually and collectively we have been inconsistent but sometimes certain games kick start you and give you the confidence to go on a run of games. If we prove we can compete against Madrid it might help us going forward.”

Watch: Gerrard on how Liverpool will approach the Madrid game

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Gerrard insists ending Real’s winning run isn’t simply a burning desire but a necessity following the Reds’ dismal defeat away to FC Basel three weeks ago which left them sitting third in Group B.

Champions League football maybe new for many of the current crop but Gerrard dismisses suggestions that this European campaign is simply about gaining experience.

“I don’t think any of us players expected a year’s leeway. I never experienced that under Rafa (Benitez) or any time I have been here,” he added,

“Supporters don’t say ‘oh it is just nice to be in the Champions League, it doesn’t matter how you do, you will get judged next year’.

“We will get judged against the best side in Europe. The message to the players is simple: we need a performance.

“It’s a fact that we need something. Because we slipped up at Basel we have to take something out of either of the games. I think our best chance is here at home but the plan is to get something out of both games.

“We have to focus on this one first and we need to give it everything we have got to get some kind of result.

“Beating Real Madrid is a big ask but it is possible. A result here is a big result because it will certainly help us to where we need to be to get out of the group.

“Brendan will decide whether we are on the front foot in their faces pressing or whether we defend a bit more compact and play counter attack ourselves. That is the fascinating thing about this game. People are waiting to see how we approach it.”