Rodgers plotting a Real upset

Champions League Group B

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is adamant his side are not heading into the Bernabeu like lambs to the slaughter and insists the scale of their current plight is exaggerated.

Having lost to Newcastle, scraped past Swansea and been held to a goalless draw at home to Hull in the last week, the last place you would want to take your team is Madrid.

The Champions League holders and Primera Division leaders dished out a lesson at Anfield two weeks ago, racing into a 3-0 half-time lead before easing off, as they saved themselves for the Clasico against Barcelona, and the fear is they could run amok on home turf.

Few give the Reds a hope of getting anything out of the game, never mind repeating their famous 1-0 win here in 2009.

But Rodgers stressed there would be no conceding this game — even though the reality remains that their Group B future will be decided by the final two matches against Basle and Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets.

“We are certainly not coming here as a team expected to lose, and then look at the other games as games to qualify,” Rodgers said. “For us, we see it as an opportunity. We still very much have qualification in our hands.

“It is a wonderful arena — one of the iconic football grounds in the world — and, when you come up against the best opponents, that is the challenge and what makes you perform to your best.

“They are probably the best team in the world at the moment and we really look forward to big games. We see them as an opportunity rather than a threat to what we are doing.

“Our defence have come under quite a bit of criticism. It is nowhere near as bad as people make out.

“What has been the frustration defensively has been the mistakes and sloppy goals we have given away.

“There haven’t been too many times when the team has been outdone. When you have an attacking philosophy you are going to be susceptible in your defensive side because you are not sat with nine players behind the ball.

“You are looking to control and dominate the game, but we have to eradicate the errors. The key, even though we know it is tough, is to make sure we are compact and disciplined.”

Goals — both for and against — have been a problem this season.

Any optimism surrounding the presence of last season’s second highest scorer Daniel Sturridge, missing with injuries since the end of August, on the flight out was quickly quashed by Rodgers.

“All the players have travelled, fit or injured. These games this week (they host Premier League leaders Chelsea at the weekend) are very important.

“We will see how Daniel responds, but it is highly unlikely he will be fit.”

The return of the England striker would have provided a much-needed boost to morale, but midfielder Jordan Henderson insists confidence is not being damaged by poor performances.

“There is still a lot of confidence in the group and spirit isn’t an issue,” the Reds vice-captain said. “We had a few people criticising us over the last few games so this is a massive opportunity to prove a few people wrong.”

For his part, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists Cristiano Ronaldo is fully focused on the team’s requirements and not writing his name into Champions League history. The Portugal international is one goal away from equalling the great Raul’s tally of 71 in Europe’s elite competition.

However, Ancelotti is not concerned by talk of landmark moments.

“Cristiano is working hard for himself and the side, just like other players,” he said. “I don’t think he’s thinking about the record, he has time — it’s not his last game. He is focused on playing for the team.”

Gareth Bale’s comeback gives Liverpool an even greater headache.

“Gareth Bale is ready to play and is back from injury,” added Ancelotti.

The former Chelsea coach also sprang to the defence of the much-maligned Mario Balotelli.

“Balotelli is spoken of a lot, maybe too much,” Ancelotti said. “He has quality and is at a side where they’re not playing well, having lost (Luis) Suarez, who scored a lot. They need another solution but I don’t think all Liverpool’s problems are Balotelli.”