Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes that Liverpool will be scared when the two sides meet each other in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
“We’re Real Madrid, which is why I think Liverpool are frightened of us. We have great players. It’s going to be a great tie,” he told Marca.
“The team is working hard to be in perfect shape. 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.”
The 26-year-old has recently been relegated to the Real Madrid bench, but he does not think his form has deteriorated badly.
“Everything was going well at the beginning of the season. I had a great feeling. I don’t think I was playing poorly, but I was benched for a few matches,” he added.
“It’s not easy to get used to being a reserve because I had been a starter throughout most of my career.”
Van der Vaart moved from German side Hamburg to Madrid in the summer of 2008 and is hoping to stay at the Bernabeu for some time yet.
“I signed for five years, but I hope to be here many more years,” he said.
“I want to be an important part of Real Madrid’s history and win many titles. That’s what I’ve always dreamed about.”