Andy Robertson believes Liverpool are in the mood to complete a European comeback to rival the destruction of Barcelona – but admits the Reds will be lacking “five or 10%” due to the absence of supporters.
Fans will once again be banished from Anfield on Wednesday when Jurgen Klopp’s side attempt to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit in their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
Only once before have Liverpool won through in Europe having lost the first leg by two goals, when overcoming Auxerre in the UEFA Cup in 1991.
However, they famously fought back from three goals adrift to beat Barcelona 4-0 in their Champions League semi-final at Anfield two years ago.
And while Robertson highlighted the influence of supporters that evening, he is confident Liverpool will have sufficient motivation without the raucous home backing.
“We have to create our own atmosphere and a Champions League night at Anfield without the fans,” he said.
“The Barcelona game, I don’t think it’s any secret that wouldn’t have been possible without the fans.
“The fans made us feel 10 feet tall, they made us believe even more.
“In the changing room before the game, we believed we could overturn it but walking out to 55,000 other people who believed gave you that extra five or 10% with makes a huge difference.
“But we have to create that ourselves. Our fans are watching it at home and they’ll be kicking every ball with us, but we need to try to create that atmosphere on the training ground before we go out on the pitch.”
Robertson added: “We need to have high intensity as we can be – it’s the quarter-final of the Champions League.
“It shouldn’t take much for us to get up for a quarter-final of the Champions League, and it won’t.
“The lads are motivated and determined to try to progress, but we are up against a very good team, an experienced team who have been there and done it before.
“It’s a big task for us and it isn’t the same as the Barcelona game. We can’t rely on the fact we came back in that game that we are going to come back in this one.
“We believe we can win the game. If we do that it gives us a fighting chance, let’s see if it’s enough on the night.
“Our determination is to take our chances, keep a clean sheet and make it as uncomfortable for them as possible.”
Real Madrid were eliminated at the round of 16 stage last season when they were beaten behind closed doors at Manchester City.
And when told how City placed those few allowed in the stadium behind the home dugout in an attempt to generate some atmosphere, Robertson said: “I’m not sure if it will help, but if it helped Man City… I remember watching that game and they got through pretty comfortably.
“If everybody in the stadium wants to gather behind the dugout then be my guest. If it creates a better atmosphere, then so be it.”
