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Alberto Moreno insists he is relishing the chance to test himself against Real Madrid – and says games like this are why he joined Liverpool FC.

The Spaniard is expected to start when the European champions visit Anfield on Wednesday, having sat out Sunday’s 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers.

Liverpool need a result, having slid to defeat at Basel in their last Champions League group game, and Moreno says he is keen to test himself against the competition favourites.

He told the ECHO: “Of course I’m looking forward to the game. Liverpool against Real Madrid, it’s one of the biggest matches you could ever play in.

“Liverpool is a great club, and one that should be always challenging for honours. And one of the reasons I wanted to come here was to play in big competitions, and big games, just like this.

“I know that Liverpool hadn’t played in the Champions League for five years before this season, so definitely one of my motivations was to come and play in this competition.

“I didn’t expect to be facing Real Madrid so soon in my Liverpool career, but when you play in the Champions League you have to face the big teams sooner or later. And all I can say is that I’m very motivated for the challenge.”

Moreno experienced both sides of the coin in two encounters with Real last season. His Sevilla side were beaten 7-3 at the Bernabeu last October, but won the reverse fixture 2-1 in Seville back in March.

“I saw the ups and the downs in those games,” Moreno said. “I had the joy of having beaten Real Madrid at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but also the sadness of conceding seven at the Bernabeu!

“So I know it will be a tough game. I know how dangerous it is to play against Real’s attack.

“I think we will have to be more careful defensively against Real Madrid, very careful. We will have to be at our very best to take something out of the game.”

He added: “I know how the supporters are feeling. They will all be looking forward to it as much as we are.

“To get the opportunity to play will be great, and hopefully we will get the three points as well.”

Moreno has settled well at Anfield following his £12m switch from Sevilla in the summer. The 21-year-old’s move to Merseyside was a protracted affair, but he says he never had any doubts that it would go through.

He said: “Last season, when the rumours started, my agent and my father told me to forget about them, and made sure I kept focused on Sevilla.

“Then when the season was over, that was when negotiations really moved forward. That was when I started to think about Liverpool. I was always thinking the move was going to happen, and I was happy with that.”He added: “My first week here was the toughest. It was all different for me; different place, different weather, different language.

“But since then, I have settled in very well. It is helpful having all the Spanish players here, the likes of Manquillo, Suso and Jose Enrique.

“I have no words to describe the Liverpool supporters. They’ve been very supportive with me, and their passion is amazing.

“I actually felt very emotional when I heard for the first time “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at Anfield. That was a very special moment for me. It will be the same on Wednesday I’m sure.”