Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed his players to 'rise to the occasion' when they host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Merseysiders are currently in third place in Group D, while defending champions Madrid travel to Anfield at the top of the standings with a maximum six points.

Despite an expectation for Madrid's star-studded team to win the game, Rodgers believes that his players are capable of getting at least a point from their encounter with the Spanish giants.

"The good thing about this group is that we lift ourselves for the big games," he told reporters. "We haven't got to the levels of last season yet, but this is a special game and a special competition. I'm very confident that our team will rise to the standards of playing an outstanding Real Madrid team."

Liverpool head into the match on the back of a dramatic 3-2 win away to Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League on Sunday.