Robben hopeful of Madrid comeback

Real Madrid's Arjen Robben believes his Champions League dreams will not fall foul of Liverpool despite their loss.

Madrid have been left with a mountain to climb if they are to avoid being dumped out at the last-16 stage of the competition for the fifth successive season after going down 1-0 to Liverpool in front of their own fans.

Yossi Benayoun scored the only goal of a closely-fought first leg in which there were precious few goalscoring opportunities for either side as defences largely kept their opponents at bay.

Robben, who had arguably Madrid`s best effort in the second half when his thunderous 25-yard strike was palmed over by Jose Reina, has not given up hope of his side progressing, and in the process avoiding another European exit at the hands of the Reds for the Dutchman.

Robben was part of the Chelsea side that was eliminated by Liverpool at the semi-final stage in both 2005 and 2007, but he has faith it will be third time lucky on this occasion.

"We have to go to Anfield and give it everything. We don't have anything to lose and we are going to go there confident of getting through the tie," he said.

"I'm sure we can be in the quarter-finals."

Robben knows from bitter experience how hard it is to get a positive result at Anfield.

In 2005 Chelsea lost 1-0 there after being held goalless at home, while in 2007 the London outfit were again defeated 1-0 having led by the same scoreline from the first leg, and were subsequently knocked out 4-1 on penalties - Robben missing his side's first spot-kick.

"The situation now is difficult, because we wanted to win this game," he added on his club's website.

"They are an English team, which means they are very strong, especially at a tactical level. They closed up the space very well and scored a goal. It will be difficult, but in the return match we are going to try and turn the tie around.

"To get a good result at Anfield we have to move the ball very quickly and try to create as many chances as possible.

"They have done very well. They have not left any spaces because they wanted to keep a clean sheet. They are a stronger team at home and it will be difficult to beat them, although we can do something big there."