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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has challenged his players to claim "legendary status" by beating Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday. Carlo Ancelotti's European champions travelled to Merseyside on Tuesday as firm favourites for the most eagerly anticipated game in Group B, with Liverpool's indifferent form this season doing little to bolster their confidence ahead of the vital tie. After losing their last Champions League game against Basel earlier this month, Rodgers hopes the emotion of the occasion against Cristiano Ronaldo and his high-profile teammates will inspire his side to greater heights. "They can go into the game to get a result for the team and what can come from that is a legendary status," Rodgers told reporters. "These are the types of games that are talked about for years and years. "Steven Gerrard scored two goals in the last game against them [in 2009] and they are still talked about. These performances in the big games, if you make a big contribution, that is what the supporters remember. "I'm very confident the great competitors we have in the team will rise to the standards set by playing Real Madrid. Since the weekend there's been real excitement at playing in this incredible match. I don't need to get them going. "We are a very young side. There were only two teams in the Premier League that were younger than us last season -- one was Aston Villa, who almost got relegated, and Cardiff, who did. That tells me how well the young players did. "This season they have got some big games and experiences ahead so there is no doubt this will help them. It will be a special night for them and no matter the result it will make them better players. "It's going to be great for everyone. I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere in the stadium and I'm sure, like it always does, it will draw a great performance from the players." Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has stated his belief that out-of-form striker Mario Balotelli should not start the game against Real Madrid, but Rodgers begged to differ with that opinion. "It's a game he is keen to perform in," added the Liverpool boss. "He scored a terrific goal in the last Champions League game here, so he will be really motivated to perform well. He has got experience of performing in the big, big games and he will take that into this game."
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