Albert Riera expects a game of cat and mouse when Chelsea visit Anfield for the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
The Spaniard insists Liverpool must 'use their heads' in the first leg to ensure the tie is still there for the taking at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Riera explained: "I think Wednesday's match is really important, but I think the match away will decide who progresses to the next round.
"For us it's important to play as a team, try to score if it's possible and keep a clean sheet, because we know that is very important when you play at home in the Champions League."
Riera also insists Liverpool cannot afford complacency following their league double over the Blues.
"The Champions League matches are different to the Premier League because in the Premier League you play for three points and you have 90 minutes to beat the other team," said the wide man.
"In the Champions League you play 90 minutes at Anfield tomorrow, but you have to play with your head and try to think about the second leg away."
Meanwhile, Riera claims he and his teammates were not too downhearted when Manchester United regained top spot in the Premier League with a last-gasp winner against Aston Villa on Sunday.
"We have to just think of ourselves. We need to win our games, we cannot do anything else," said the Spain international. "We need to believe in ourselves and continue winning as we did last Saturday.
"There are still a lot of games to play and we are in a great position. We're still fighting for the title and our mentality has to be to try and take three points from every game and see what happens at the end. We cannot do anything else."
Asked if fighting for two major honours made this the most exciting period of his career, Riera responded: "Yes, definitely. Playing to fight for titles is really nice, this is the pressure that we want because it's a beautiful pressure."
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Riera explained: "I think Wednesday's match is really important, but I think the match away will decide who progresses to the next round.
"For us it's important to play as a team, try to score if it's possible and keep a clean sheet, because we know that is very important when you play at home in the Champions League."
Riera also insists Liverpool cannot afford complacency following their league double over the Blues.
"The Champions League matches are different to the Premier League because in the Premier League you play for three points and you have 90 minutes to beat the other team," said the wide man.
"In the Champions League you play 90 minutes at Anfield tomorrow, but you have to play with your head and try to think about the second leg away."
Meanwhile, Riera claims he and his teammates were not too downhearted when Manchester United regained top spot in the Premier League with a last-gasp winner against Aston Villa on Sunday.
"We have to just think of ourselves. We need to win our games, we cannot do anything else," said the Spain international. "We need to believe in ourselves and continue winning as we did last Saturday.
"There are still a lot of games to play and we are in a great position. We're still fighting for the title and our mentality has to be to try and take three points from every game and see what happens at the end. We cannot do anything else."
Asked if fighting for two major honours made this the most exciting period of his career, Riera responded: "Yes, definitely. Playing to fight for titles is really nice, this is the pressure that we want because it's a beautiful pressure."
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