Allen: How fans can help us beat Basel

Joe, how much does it help that your destiny is still in your own hands? You know that if you win, you get through...

It's a great position to be in. We know exactly the task that lies ahead and we are really excited for the game to get underway. The players are ready to give everything to get that result.

How much can this club's great European tradition be a factor for you tomorrow? Not just for the players, but for the fans and the whole occasion?

We're looking to draw inspiration from previous games. The support we're going to get tomorrow night is going to be a huge factor in the game. We're going to make sure we make it a very difficult night for Basel players and we're calling on every supporter to get behind us during the game.

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How big a threat are Basel?

We learnt a harsh lesson in the away match, so we certainly won't underestimate them from that point of view. We've moved forward from that game and we know what they're capable of. There won't be any surprises from that point of view.

It's 10 years today since Steven Gerrard wrote another page in Liverpool history in the Olympiacos game. As far as you're concerned, what difference does he make and how much can nights like that, that Steven has been a part of, help spur you further on?

It's great that Stevie has got that experience of being in this situation. It is a great game for all of us to be inspired by. Hopefully we'll have enough to get that win again and get the club through to the knockout stages.

What are the differences when he's with you and not with you on the field?

He's an iconic figure, he's an inspirational figure as well, and he's obviously a world-class player. He's a huge, huge player to have in our team and he could be that difference. We're looking forward to seeing some more magic from Stevie.

It's a big month for Liverpool, but how key is this game? It could ultimately transform your season so far, couldn't it?

Of course, it's a huge game. Last season it was great to qualify and be back in this competition but as soon as you get into it you want to get through the group stages and reach the later rounds. That's the dream of everyone at this football club and the most important thing is we've got the ability and talent to make that happen. As I mentioned earlier, we can't wait for the game to get underway.

It's a do-or-die game - it's a group game, but it's really a knockout match. As far as you're concerned, as fabulous as last season was for Liverpool, there were a couple of games towards the end of the campaign that you could say we're exactly the same and Liverpool ended up falling a little bit short. Have you learnt from those sort of games?

Last year as a whole, we learnt so much as a group. This is the type of game we will use experiences from the type of games you did mention, but we have moved on. It's a game that when the group came out we were confident we could get the three points, so nothing has changed from that point of view. We just need to go out there and make sure we do our job and get the three points.