Andy Robertson insists he is ready to face the game of his life as Liverpool aim for Champions League glory in Kiev on Saturday evening.
The left-back will become the first Scot in 21 years to lift club football’s greatest prize if he can help Jurgen Klopp’s side overcome Real Madrid at the NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium.
While his Spanish opponents are aiming for a third successive European crown, Robertson is undeterred by a comparative lack of experience within the Anfield ranks.
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is ready for the biggest game of his life on Saturday
And he is confident Liverpool can channel their nervous energy into a high-tempo performance to match those that have propelled them to the brink of history.
‘It’s all about how you use the nerves,’ said Robertson. ‘You need to use them to your advantage. We’ve done that so far.
‘(Against) Roma, we would have been nervous, (against) Man City – but we used it to our advantage. We used it to drive us on instead of shying away from the challenge. That’s what we’ve got to do (against Real), from the first whistle you need to use the nerves and everything that comes with it in the right way.
‘Hopefully if we can then we can put on a good show for ourselves, a good performance, and if we can then we believe we can get our hands on the trophy.’
Robertson’s insists Liverpool’s comparative lack of experience won’t be a major factor
Liverpool spent time at a training camp in Marbella last week, with preparations then continuing back on Merseyside before the squad flew to Ukraine on Thursday.
‘This week is probably the biggest of our lives and we have to be fully focused,’ added Robertson.
‘It’s a great occasion for all of us because none of us have experienced it.. Obviously the manager has (when Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund lost to Bayern Munich in the 2013 final), but none of us as players.
The Scottish defender has produced some superb performances in his first season at the club
‘In that sense, you could say we are inexperienced, but that could work to our advantage because we don’t know what to expect. That means we can be open-minded and, hopefully, that’ll work for us.’
Robertson could find himself confronted by Gareth Bale, Isco or Lucas Vazquez, depending on how Zidane Zidane lines up his team. But the 24-year-old sees little point in getting hung up on individual threats.
‘Real Madrid are a world-class team, there is no denying that. Every player in their team is world-class and they have shown that by dominating the Champions League in recent years.
‘We know how hard it will be. People maybe focus on Cristiano Ronaldo because he and Lionel Messi are the two best players in the world. But if you just focus on him, a Bale or an Isco can pop up. So you need to focus on the whole team.
‘We will put a plan together to try and stop them coming forward and if we keep a clean sheet we are half way there. We believe that going forward that we are a threat and can hopefully score on the night.
‘You don’t know who you will come up against. Some teams throw surprises and get players to swap wings. But as a whole team we will have a lot of meetings and look at things. That, to me, is the best way. Especially when you are coming up against such a high-quality team, you need to focus on everyone.’
‘I don’t think we need this moment to restore our reputation. I think it is obvious we are back,’ he said.