Lambert: Amazing Kop roar will help us give it a Real go
RICKIE LAMBERT claims Anfield’s cauldron of noise will make Liverpool “unstoppable” against Real Madrid tonight.
The Reds face the Champions League holders on home turf in a huge clash of football’s heavyweights.
And striker Lambert reckons if Kopites can generate the famous atmosphere of great European nights of old, then they can make mincemeat of the Spanish giants.
“If the fans are in full voice, it doesn’t matter who the opposition is,” said Lambert.
“When they’re on song, the fans lift the team more than any other supporters.
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“When they are in full voice we’re unstoppable at times. It will be very hard to take any points from us.
“I have seen first-hand what they can do and what level they can raise the players to.
“If they can get to those levels again, which I’m sure they will, it’s only going to help us.
“It’s going to lift us up that extra five or 10 per cent, which might win the game.
“It affects the team massively – and it affects the opposition as well.
“I can’t describe it, but it just raises your game
FEARED: Ronaldo up and gives you that extra little bit, which you might not have had.
“The fans just manage to make that little bit of difference.”
Lambert admits the game against Real shows that Liverpool are back in the big time, but insists that is something they will embrace rather than fear.
“This is Liverpool and this is where we’re supposed to be,” added the 32-year-old.
“We’ve been away from the competition for a few years, but this squad definitely feels at home on nights like this.
“Games don’t come bigger than against Real Madrid. On any given day, we can beat anyone, especially at home.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti will be without world record signing Gareth Bale after the Welshman was left out of his squad with a thigh problem.
But Liverpool will still have to contain the supreme talent of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa, who played for Liverpool from 2007 to 2009, reckons Ronaldo will strike fear into the Reds’ ranks.
“There’s no doubt that Cristiano is the best player in the world at the moment,” said Arbeloa.
Fear
“He is a great professional and a player who improves every day. No-one can imagine what he does.
“Training and playing with him helps you to grow and improve. For us, it’s a privilege to have Cristiano and opposition teams fear him.”
Arbeloa also believes his team-mates will handle the intense atmosphere at Anfield.
“I can imagine how the fans will cheer every corner or throw-in close to our penalty box as if it’s going to end in a goal,” he added.
“However, I have told our players to be ready for that.”