"Going back to Anfield after 5 years will be special" - Arbeloa

Álvaro Arbeloa spent two and a half seasons at Anfield and returns on the opposing side when Liverpool play host to Real Madrid for just the second time in European competition on Wednesday night. The full-back is looking forward to what he says will be “a very special return” and warned that awaiting the cup holders will be a team “who will be going out to fight to the death” in front of their home fans.

“Returning to Liverpool after five years away is going to be very special for me. Having played at Anfield, I know what an appetizing game this is going to be – not just for me. I’ve told my team mates to just go out and enjoy it to the max,” Arbeloa told uefa.com.

The player has first-hand experience of the electrifying European nights at Anfield and the kind of raucous, vibrant atmosphere to expect playing in front of the Kop. “Champions League matches and big games like this one are extra special at Anfield,” Arbeloa said, “we’ll be up against a side who will be going out to fight to the death, they will give everything they’ve got – because they need to win this game as much as we do”.

Arbeloa has fond memories of his time on Merseyside, as he continued, “It was where I grew as a person and as a player. I spent two marvellous years there and I adapted to an entirely new culture”.

It was with Liverpool he made his debut in European football’s flagship tournament – curiously, against FC Barcelona. “That was my first time in the starting XI and my Champions League debut – what more could a player, who came through the youth system at Real Madrid wish for – to make my debut at Camp Nou and win 2-1!. It was a magical night, a special moment and wonderful to defend the shirt of the defending European champions; and we put in a fantastic performance that night,” Arbeloa recalled.

Now his loyalties lie solely with Real Madrid. “It’s the biggest and most important club in the world – there is no club greater than Madrid. This is the club to have won the most honours in the game and that says it all,” he ended.

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1r2gHpF

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