Liverpool vs Real Madrid: The Anfield crowd 'cannot be beaten', says Michael Owen

Former England striker played for both clubs

August, 2004: Spanish giants Real Madrid agree £8m deal to sign Owen with Antonio Núñez moving to Liverpool (Getty Images)

The Anfield crowd will play a big part in Liverpool’s match with Real Madrid tonight, says former striker Michael Owen, but Brendan Rodgers will settle for any result that keeps them in contention in Group B.

Owen, who played for both clubs, says that the Anfield crowd “cannot be beaten” by any other in sport.

“Despite the fact Real Madrid are the most successful European Cup winners ever, the famous European nights at Anfield simply cannot be beaten for atmosphere or all-round sporting theatre,” said Owen, speaking on Sportlobster.com.

“It’s as if the crowd know these games will be talked about for generations to come and never has the saying ‘the crowd were like a twelfth man’ been more true.”

Real Madrid enter the match as heavy favourites and Owen thinks Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will hope for a result that keeps the Reds in contention.

He added: “Given their respective starts, Liverpool will probably settle for any kind of result over the two games that leaves them in with a fighting chance for what are likely to be the defining matches against Ludogorets and Basel before the end of the group stages.”

After eight seasons on Merseyside where he scored almost 160 goals, Owen was sold from the Reds to Los Blancos for £8m in 2004, scoring 16 goals in a season where he was mostly used from the substitutes bench.

“I was lucky enough to play for both sides and although I didn't manage to add a Champions league medal to my collection, I definitely felt the added hopes and expectations of the fans whenever a big European night came around.

Brendan Rodgers will probably take a point tonight (Getty Images)

“It's not like the normal excitement of domestic cup competitions or the expectations of their respective league matches. It's a unique buzz that slowly builds up during the course of the week leading up to the game.

“It begins with the fans and then transmits through the players, the management, support staff and everyone associated with the club before it becomes an explosion of noise and passion as the teams come out to do battle on the night.”