Steven Gerrard Ready For Madrid Test

Steven Gerrard has revealed that he is ready to face Athletic Madrid and Liverpool are going into the match feeling 'positive'.

After a disrupted journey to Madrid last week Liverpool lost the first leg of their Europa League semi-final after a lack-lustre performance from both side.

But Madrid are travelling to Anfield for Thursday night's match as Liverpool are hoping to get their hands on their first piece of silverware this season.

Despite a disappointing season for the reds, crashing out of the Champions League early and currently lying in seventh in the Premiere League Gerrard insists that the squad are still up beat.

Speaking on the club's official website the Liverpool captain said: "We need to be positive from the start of the game and get the fans behind us and believe that we can achieve the victory.

"We've done it before so we are going to give it everything we have got on Thursday night.

"The players are positive about Thursday night, I can guarantee that. We are up for it and we need to give every bit of sweat and blood out on that pitch.

"Let's hope we can win it with two goals but if they score we have to get a third. We have to adapt during the game and do whatever it takes to win.

"There's been many occasions where we have had our backs to the wall and people have doubted us, but as players we never doubt ourselves."

"We go into every game believing we can win it and do everything that's possible on the night. Thursday can't come quick enough. We can't wait for it."

But Liverpool put in a goo performance on Sunday as they beat Burnley 4-0 to move within two points of fourth place.

Just two points separate Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool in the race for  the final Champions League spot for next season, but Tottenham and City have a game in hand over Villa and Liverpool.