Gerrard looks forward to Champions League game.

By Kate7
April 4 2005

Steven Gerrard is looking forward to Tuesdays Champions League clash with Juventus and says the Reds won’t be there just to make the numbers up.

The Reds captain is fully aware that Juve are favourites to go through but knows that anything can happen in football.

He told liverpoolfc.tv

He says: "It's particularly important that I raise my game to a different level for this match. It's a massive game and we have done extremely well to get to the last eight of this competition.

"I know we are going into it as underdogs. But I have spoken to David Beckham and Michael Owen while I was on England duty about how Juventus shaped up against Real Madrid and they said we have nothing to fear and to just go out and give it a good go.

"The Champions League is a massive competition and the bigger game the better because that's what we live for as players.

"And I want our progress to continue. While we will enjoy the experience of playing Juventus, we are not just turning up to make up the numbers, we want to qualify for the semi-finals.

"I realise the importance of the home leg. A clean sheet at Anfield is massive - if they were to score at our place it would leave us with a mountain to climb."

Gerrard may be forced once again to play in a more advanced attacking role against Juventus due to the lack of available strikers and he adds: "We are short all over and there's maybe a chance I may have to play up front against Juventus.

"I don't mind playing up front - I have managed to nick a few goals up there in the past. Obviously I am no 100 per cent comfortable up front but wherever I am played by any manager I'll give it my best shot."