Liverpoolfc.tvCARRA: CROWD CAN BE A BIG FACTORJamie Carragher is confident the Anfield crowd can inspire Liverpool to another famous European victory when they face Besiktas in the Champions League tomorrow.
The Reds defender acknowledges that Rafa Benitez's side have it all to do if they are to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, but is hoping another show of great support from the fans, will help Liverpool clinch three vital points against the Turkish outfit.
"It's a big factor," said Carragher in reference to Anfield's famous 12th man.
"It's one of the main reasons why we've done so well in the Champions League. Obviously the players and the manager have played their part, but I'm sure everyone would recognise that the supporters played a massive role in getting us to Istanbul and getting us to Athens, and we need them at the moment, because we haven't done as well as we would have liked in the first three games.
"The players and the manager need to play their part, but I'm sure the Kop and the supporters will also have a massive part to play tomorrow."
The Reds are currently bottom of Group A with just one point from three games played, and although Carragher admits they cannot afford any mistakes in their remaining matches, he insists they must take each game one step at a time.
"Of course we'd love to win all three games, but we've got to make sure we beat Besiktas first," said Carragher.
"We don't want to start thinking about the last game away to Marseille, we've got to be respectful to Besiktas and concentrate 100 per cent on this game, try and get the three points and then move on to the Porto game."
In recent years the Reds have been involved in their fair share of high pressure matches in Europe, and Carragher wants his teammates to call upon all that experience against Ertugrul Saglam's side, and show the type attitude and determination that has seen them reach two finals in the past three seasons.
"We are a big club and every time you have results that don't go well there is a lot of pressure," said Carragher.
"This club is built on character and I think we've proved that over the last few years, and maybe tomorrow might be that game that we need to show that again.
"We, as the players, need to start well and make it a great atmosphere and get the fans going and then hopefully we can make it a great European night."
Even Jamie is backing the fans to motivate us tomorrow. I can't stress enough how much we can make the difference by cheering the lads on.
So come on you Red men. Knockout stages here we come.