Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has joined Martin Skrtel in calling for Reds fans to raise the roof at Anfield on Thursday night as Brendan Rodgers’ men go looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit in their Europa League tie against Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.
Second half goals from Hulk and Sergei Semak sunk Liverpool when the Reds went to Eastern Europe last Thursday evening to trail the tie by two goals.
Reina is hoping for a special Anfield European night to help boost the side to the goals they need to get back in the tie and progress in the Europa League.
He told the club’s official website, “It’s up to us both, players and fans. We have to show character from the beginning, especially in the first 15-20 minutes to get the people right behind us, but then they will lift us in the weak moments as they always do.
“The fact it is a night game makes it different. Supporters come to the game more excited. It’s difficult to explain, but there’s a different kind of atmosphere.
“It will be even bigger and louder if we can score the next goal in the tie, so hopefully we can do that.”
Reina went on to recall the European Cup semi-final, second leg in 2007 when Liverpool were spurred on by the Kop to beat Chelsea on penalties and reach the Champions League Final in Athens.
The Spanish shot stopper says he hasn’t experienced such an intense atmosphere since.
“The Chelsea second leg in 2007 was a good example. Although it was not 2-0, it was 1-0, it was a difficult result and history could have been different if they’d scored in the first few minutes or so. That’s the mentality to have and hopefully it will be the same result at the end.
“Anfield was rocking that night and I haven’t been in an atmosphere like that since.”
Liverpool vs Zenit St Petersburg gets underway at 8.05pm on Thursday, 21st February 2013. Some tickets have gone back on sale for the game and are available from the club’s ticket office.
Fan Comments