Xabi Alonso believes that Liverpool's previous European experiences will help to carry them to another UEFA Champions League final.
The Reds' quarter-final tie with Premier League rivals Arsenal is delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg in London last week, but both sides are confident of progressing heading into Tuesday's second leg showdown at Anfield.
Liverpool currently hold a slight advantage having snatched an away goal at Emirates Stadium, and also know what it takes to be successful in Europe having made the final of the competition in two of the last three seasons.
With the Champions League also representing their only chance to pick up some silverware this season, Spanish midfielder Alonso is adamant that the Reds are fully prepared for the make-or-break contest.
Respect
"For us, this is the most important game of the season because it is the biggest chance to lift silverware now, and we must be at our best to win it," he said.
"We are confident in this competition. In the last few years we have been quite successful in Europe and hopefully this season will be the same and we can go all the way to the final again.
"In the Premier League we need to be more consistent, but in the Champions League over two legs, we know we can beat anyone. We have beaten big clubs and now we are facing another one with the same confidence as before.
"Teams may not fear us, but they respect us and what we have done in Europe and they know we are a difficult team to play against. We have shown that over the last few years, and this season it is the same.
"We have experience in this kind of situation. It is a massive game for us and we are ready for it."
Surprises
He added: "We have not learned too much new about each other with two games already in a week, but at home we know how to prepare for the game and we are experienced in such matches.
"You never know, there may be surprises, but we both know each other very well.
"But they can beat anyone, just like when they beat the current champions Milan in the San Siro. So we respect that and know that to go through we will have to play very well.
"But playing at Anfield we perform in a different way, the fans will be right behind us and that is very important.
"That is key for us, the supporters play a big role on European nights and I know it will be the same again."
Passion
Alonso is also targeting a European triumph as a means of making amends for yet another lacklustre domestic campaign from the Reds.
"That is our most realistic chance of silverware at this stage of the season," he said.
"We have experience in our dressing room, players who have won European medals, and we have new, young players with great talent. And the commitment and desire is the same from all of us, we want to beat Arsenal and go all the way to the final.
"We know we must be more consistent in the league, it is a longer race with more games and we have drawn too many. That is why there is a gap between us in fourth and the three above us.
"But in the Champions League we always feel confident and comfortable. We can beat anyone, and we are doing that again.
"We have the passion and the heart, we play with intensity and the belief in ourselves. We know we can win."
Skysport.
Tags: Alonso Liverpool
