Raheem Sterling believes the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United back in December was the turning point for Liverpool's season.
The Englishman, who scored his 10th goal of the season at the weekend to help Liverpool cruise to a 2-0 away win at Southampton, says he is still haunted by memories of the game at Old Trafford where he missed a handful of gilt-edged chances, with Brendan Rodgers starting him as the central striker.
"That day for me against United was massive," said Sterling in the Liverpool Echo. "I had a few chances to win us the game and I missed them. I was devastated after. Everyone at this football club wanted to win that game. It was a real low.
"I went home and watched the clips over and over again, just to see what I could have done better. I said to myself the next time I get into that position that I should just stay calm.
"When the manager told me I was playing up front the next game against Bournemouth as well I was really focused. Luckily enough, I got two goals.
"Even in the defeat to United, the manager said that you could see our identity coming back. We started playing with a lot more authority than earlier in the season. We created a lot more chances.
"I'm not saying it had anything to do with me being up front but he did say we were a lot more fluent. After such a disappointing day, it's always nice to hear those things."
Despite bagging 10 goals this season, Sterling is still unsatisfied with his own form and believes that he could have scored even more goals had he remained calm in front of goal.
"I am very critical of myself and always look at what I can improve on." said the forward. "I feel my own form has been a bit stop-start. For a young player I suppose that's natural, but if I want to get my game to the next level then I need to be consistent week in, week out."
"If I am not scoring, I need to be assisting a goal or having a strong effect on the game. That is something I am working on.
"Any chance I get I'm looking to improve. I get five balls on my left side and five on my right side. How many go in? On the right I score three or four, left side only one or two.
"I've got 10 goals this season but I could easily have had 15 goals if I'd taken half my chances and been a bit more relaxed. That is something that I am working on every day to become a better finisher. When the penny drops hopefully that will improve my game."
While Sterling has been singled out as one of the main reasons for Liverpool's good run of form, another fellow starlet Jordon Ibe has won plaudits for his mature performances in recent weeks and is even slated to be in Roy Hodgson's next England squad.
Sterling knows the value of working hard as a youngster and he even sees similarities between Ibe and himself.
"We both like to get at players, we both like to be direct and score goals," Sterling added. "Jordon is a great player and he's doing well. It's not a case of really helping him, we're nearly the same age, we just talk.
"It's not me telling him that he should do this or that. I'm not a senior professional, I haven't played 200 odd games for Liverpool or anything like that.
"I just try to give him advice and tell him to keep doing what he does, whether it is for the reserves, the under-18s or the seniors."
With the focus shifting towards the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul -- the venue where Steven Gerrard and his men triumphed over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final. Sterling is elated to have the opportunity to play on the same ground where his heroes once did.
"I just watched the game in 2005 at home near Wembley," Sterling added. "I remember the Gerrard header but I can't remember too much else about it. Hopefully I can get a chance in this game and I will be able to get a nice tap in. This is the stage that I need to start to perform on. But if I'm not scoring and the team is doing well, I'm happy with that."
With a 1-0 lead off a 85th minute Mario Balotelli spot kick, Rodgers will be hoping the likes of Sterling and Coutinho can finish the job on Thursday night and move into the next round.