Allen: It’s the ‘dream’ to make the last 16

Joe Allen says it is the ‘dream’ of every member of the Liverpool squad to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League by beating FC Basel tonight.

The Reds will be hoping for another special European night at Anfield, knowing only a win against the Swiss champions will be enough to see them through to the next round of the competition.

Allen said: “Last season it was great to qualify and be back in this competition, but as soon as you get into it you want to reach the later rounds.

“That’s the dream of everyone at this football club. We’ve got the ability and the talent to make that happen. I can’t wait to get the game underway.”

It is ten years and a day since Steven Gerrard scored one of the most famous goals in the Reds history to beat Olympiakos, and set the Reds on route to a fifth European cup.

And Allen believes the experience of having the 34-year-old in the team will be of huge benefit against Basel.

He said: “It’s great that Stevie’s got that experience of being in this situation. [Olympiakos] is a great game for all of us to be inspired by.

“He’s an iconic and inspirational figure, and a world class player. He’s a huge player to have in our team and he could be that difference.

“Hopefully we’ll have enough to get that win again and get this club through to the knockout stages.”