We've done it before
We can do it again

Steven Gerrard talks exclusively to the Sport of the World

FORGET politics, behind-the-scenes bickering and managerial uncertainty, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has just one obsession this week: Victory against Marseille.

A win in the Stade Velodrome will maintain a history of last-gasp fightbacks by the Merseysiders as they continue their habit of doing it the hard way in the Champions League.

When the French side stunned Anfield with a 1-0 win in October, and this was followed by another setback against Besiktas, it appeared negotiating TV rights for UEFA Cup ties would be top of the New Year agenda.

Pressure

Rafa Benitez's side have manoeuvred themselves back into a position where qualification into the lucrative knockout stage of the Champions League is in their own hands, but only three points will suffice.

That's a pressure Gerrard is relishing.

"If you'd told me five minutes after the final whistle against Marseille at Anfield we'd go into the last game knowing a win would secure our qualification, I'd have bitten your hand off at that offer," said the Kop captain.

"It was even worse when we lost to Besiktas. We knew then we had a real uphill struggle, but after our recent performances in the competition we know it's up to ourselves again.

"We're a different side and a lot more confident than the one which lost to Marseille at home."

Gerrard takes heart from the fact Liverpool have been in this situation before.

They needed to beat Olympiakos in their final group game three years ago to qualify and went 1-0 down before fighting back to win 3-1.

He said: "Everyone remembers Olympiakos, so our experiences in the past will help.

"The big difference this time is we're not at home, so that's going to make it tougher, but we're playing good football, winning games and scoring goals.

"The pressure will be on Marseille as much as us this time. We know we're always expected to go through to the knockout stage, but after they beat us at Anfield and we lost in Turkey, we weren't favourites to qualify.

"They must have hoped we'd be out of it by now and they'd already be through, but fortunately it hasn't turned out that way.

"For them not to be sure of going through after already beating us once must worry them, so we've got to take advantage of the chance we've given ourselves."

Hopes

It's not the first time in recent history Liverpool have headed to Marseilles with European hopes — or the future of their manager — in the balance.

Gerard Houllier's reign headed towards an ignominious end in 2004 when Didier Drogba inspired the French to a 3-2 aggregate triumph in the UEFA Cup.

"I remember it was a great atmosphere in the stadium, but we were playing well and led 1-0 until Igor Biscan was sent off," recalled Gerrard.

"It was the first time Drogba was noticed by people in England. He scored in both legs.

"The Stade Velodrome is one of those arenas where the fans' really get behind their team, but we're used to that and I'm sure we can cope.

"Although we took some criticism when we lost at home, they deserved credit for how they played.

"They'd just appointed a new manager and their lads performed like they had a lot to prove.

"We couldn't argue with the result because we weren't at our usual level.

"This time we determined to show them our true quality."

In 2004, Drogba was a striker determined to establish a reputation.

In 2007, Marseille's star forward is more familiar to Liverpudlians, as Djibril Cisse seeks to prove Benitez wrong for offloading him.

"I've spoken to Djibril quite a bit recently," said Gerrard.

"After the Anfield game we were both interviewed on French television by Gerard Houllier. Djibril was obviously delighted with the result, but I know he has good memories of Liverpool and also knows what we're capable of.

"He may feel he's something to prove as all players do when they move on from a club."

Even if Cisse has an impact, few will argue the merits of filling his old No9 and status as club record signing with Fernando Torres.

Hungry

"Any club with ambitions to win major trophies needs a world-class striker and we know we've got that in Fernando," says Gerrard.

"He's exactly the kind of striker we've been looking for, and after waiting so long to play in this competition, I know how hungry he'll be to go further this year.

"Everything is about winning this one game now.

"The Christmas fixtures are always an important time so if we can come through this still fighting in all competitions, we'll have shown everyone what we're capable of."

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