Focusing on Ronaldo is too risky, warns Liverpool boss Rodgers
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists his side cannot become too focused on stopping Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League tomorrow night as Real Madrid have enough quality to hurt them elsewhere.
Real's other flying forward Gareth Bale has been ruled out with the same injury which kept him out of the weekend's 5-0 win over Levante but Ronaldo will undoubtedly take centre stage in the Group B clash at Anfield.
The Portugal international arrives on the back of breaking a 71-year La Liga record by scoring 15 goals in the first eight matches of the season and while his talent cannot be under-estimated, Rodgers stressed it would be foolish to focus solely on him.
"He's a player off the charts. His evolution in recent years, the way how he has become a goalscorer has been amazing," Rodgers said.
"We need to know how to stop him but there is danger in other parts of the field. You have (Luka) Modric, (Toni) Kroos - wonderful technicians who can play short and long.
"I'm also a big admirer of Sergio Ramos (another injury doubt as he has not featured since October 5) since his young days at Sevilla where he came through the system before making a move and then making over 100 appearances for Spain.
"It is a magnificent achievement and he is fast, strong and has personality. I love it.
"They have amazing talents all over the field and they have the technique to play in small spaces and when the space opens up there is no one better on the counter-attack in Ronaldo and Bale because they are two players who could be in the Olympic 100 metres final.
"They are as strong a team now as they have been for many years. They have everything, big experience, big players, speed, technique and a great manager in (Carlo) Ancelotti.
"And they are the reigning champions as well and they will want to defend their title."
Liverpool go into the game on the back of a poor performance at QPR which, even though ended in victory, did little for confidence.
Captain Steven Gerrard admitted afterwards if they reproduced a similar display against Real they would have "no chance" of winning, but Rodgers believes the status of the fixture will bring out the best in his players.
"Whenever you play in the big games the great competitors come out and I have no doubt with my players as their mentality is very strong," he said.
"It is a really exciting game. The work we put in over the last season or so means this is our reward but it is a game we want to go and win.
"Anfield is a special place for a Champions League football game and we are really looking forward to it.
"But you have to be careful - they are the best counter-attacking team in the world.
"You have to have an educated pressure (on the ball), pressing at the right moments, but you cannot leave space behind that."
Midfielder Jordan Henderson echoed the sentiments of his captain by admitting they have to improve.
"We all know we need to be better than that," he said. "We will take the positives and we will work on the negatives in training.
"It wouldn't matter if it was Real Madrid or whoever next, we need to improve in all areas.
"They've got some great players but you want to be playing against the best. That's how you improve as a player.
"We have to go out there with no fear and focus on playing the way we know we can. We're capable of getting a good result."
The Portugal international arrives on the back of breaking a 71-year La Liga record by scoring 15 goals in the first eight matches of the season and while his talent cannot be under-estimated, Rodgers stressed it would be foolish to focus solely on him.
"He's a player off the charts. His evolution in recent years, the way how he has become a goalscorer has been amazing," Rodgers said.
"We need to know how to stop him but there is danger in other parts of the field. You have (Luka) Modric, (Toni) Kroos - wonderful technicians who can play short and long.
"I'm also a big admirer of Sergio Ramos (another injury doubt as he has not featured since October 5) since his young days at Sevilla where he came through the system before making a move and then making over 100 appearances for Spain.
"It is a magnificent achievement and he is fast, strong and has personality. I love it.
"They have amazing talents all over the field and they have the technique to play in small spaces and when the space opens up there is no one better on the counter-attack in Ronaldo and Bale because they are two players who could be in the Olympic 100 metres final.
"They are as strong a team now as they have been for many years. They have everything, big experience, big players, speed, technique and a great manager in (Carlo) Ancelotti.
"And they are the reigning champions as well and they will want to defend their title."
Liverpool go into the game on the back of a poor performance at QPR which, even though ended in victory, did little for confidence.
Captain Steven Gerrard admitted afterwards if they reproduced a similar display against Real they would have "no chance" of winning, but Rodgers believes the status of the fixture will bring out the best in his players.
"Whenever you play in the big games the great competitors come out and I have no doubt with my players as their mentality is very strong," he said.
"It is a really exciting game. The work we put in over the last season or so means this is our reward but it is a game we want to go and win.
"Anfield is a special place for a Champions League football game and we are really looking forward to it.
"But you have to be careful - they are the best counter-attacking team in the world.
"You have to have an educated pressure (on the ball), pressing at the right moments, but you cannot leave space behind that."
Midfielder Jordan Henderson echoed the sentiments of his captain by admitting they have to improve.
"We all know we need to be better than that," he said. "We will take the positives and we will work on the negatives in training.
"It wouldn't matter if it was Real Madrid or whoever next, we need to improve in all areas.
"They've got some great players but you want to be playing against the best. That's how you improve as a player.
"We have to go out there with no fear and focus on playing the way we know we can. We're capable of getting a good result."
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