Source: Telegraph
Liverpool are running scared of Real Madrid says Rafael van der Vaart
With Madrid effectively out of the running to win the La Liga title, Juande Ramos' side have turned all their attentions to ensuring they win at least one piece of silverware this season. [LNB]And despite Liverpool's strong track record in Europe, Van der Vaart believes Rafael Benitez side's nerves will get the better of them next Wednesday. [LNB]"We're Real Madrid, which is why I think Liverpool are frightened of us," he said. "We have great players - it's going to be a great tie. The team is working hard to be in perfect shape. [LNB]"We're anxious to do well in Europe and if we end up as champions I will be capable of anything. I will do anything to win the Champions League."[LNB]Aware of how eager Madrid will be to win their 10th European Cup, Benitez will be putting his past experiences of La Liga to good use. [LNB]"I've the experience of the duel we had with Barcelona. They were the big favourites but we knocked them out," he told the Mirror[LNB]. [LNB]"We didn't have luck when the draw came out as we have different goals for the season now. For Madrid, it's all about the Champions League. That is all they have to win. [LNB]"We're still alive in the title race but what matters is the condition of my players when the games come. Torres is still getting back to his best form, while Steven Gerrard, who is to our team what Raul is to Real, the emblem, is still recovering from a hamstring injury. [LNB]"It's fair to compare Steven to Raul. Both are charismatic players, with enormous hearts, whose personality makes a mark on the rest of the team."[LNB]Raul became Real Madrid's all-time top scorer at the weekend when he netted twice for the La Liga champions in their 4-0 victory away to Sporting Gijon. [LNB]He moved one ahead of Alfredo di Stefano's tally of 307 when Sergio Ramos crossed and he scored with a first time shot on the half-volley. [LNB]He also grabbed his 309th goal, and Real's fourth of the day when Inaki Lafuente fumbled Gonzalo Higuain's shot leaving Raul with a simple tap in near the end. [LNB]
