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Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, is urging his team to replicate last season's remarkable victory over Real Madrid in Tuesday's match, both on and off the pitch.
The Reds triumphed 2-0 over the Spanish titans last November, thanks to second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo at Anfield. Now, a year later, Madrid is returning to L4 for another Champions League showdown.
Van Dijk believes that last season's win was one of Liverpool's standout performances of the campaign, and he's hopeful for a similar display this time around. He also wants Liverpool fans to bring the "noise" - as Trent Alexander-Arnold prepares for his first appearance against the Reds as a Madrid player.
"Games don't come much bigger than Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League," said Van Dijk in his programme notes for the clash.
"It goes without saying that we are all really looking forward to the challenge, and I am sure you guys are as well. These are the nights you live for as a player."
Following a string of six losses in seven matches across all competitions, the Reds bounced back with a 2-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday. Van Dijk feels that this victory, along with memories of last season's triumph over Real, will energise the home crowd at Anfield.
"We know what to expect, of course, and they (Real) will too," continued Van Dijk. "This time last year, we produced one of our best performances of the whole season to beat them 2-0, and deservedly so. We were excellent that night, producing a real team display.
"That, I remember, was also one of the best atmospheres of the whole season, and we will need more of the same this evening. We need noise, we need passion, and we need your support from the first whistle to the last.
"I thought the support against Aston Villa was outstanding, and it was really appreciated.
"It has obviously been a difficult period in terms of results, and that inevitably leads to lots of noise and criticism, especially from the outside, but on Saturday you guys were with us from the word go, and that backing definitely helped push us towards a very important three points."
Additionally, Van Dijk praised Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian netted his 250th goal for the Reds against Villa, with the Dutchman highlighting his fellow Reds veteran for the accomplishment.
"I want to give a mention here to Mo Salah, whose goal against Aston Villa was his 250th in a Liverpool shirt," said Van Dijk.
"What an achievement, and what a player. To reach a landmark like that, at a club like Liverpool, is extremely special, and the fact that he still has the hunger to work hard and improve every single day says everything about him, his quality, and his professionalism. He is an example to everyone, for sure.
"Hopefully, he is on the scoresheet again this evening, and hopefully, we can follow up one important Anfield victory with another."
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