September 16, 2014 marks a very special day for Liverpool’s club and fans worldwide. Champions League football returns at Anfield after a five-year absence and captain Steven Gerrard is up for it!

In an exclusive interview with English news source Daily Mail, the veteran midfielder confessed:

“When you aren’t involved [in the Champions League], there is a big jealousy. I was jealous of the teams and players who were involved when Liverpool had nothing to do it with it.

“But that’s a good thing, isn’t it? It’s the best competition to play in at club level. There’s a hole there when you are out of it.”

Liverpool’s European adventure in 2014 begins at home to Ludogorets, a Razgrad-based club from Bulgaria. Many may have heard of the name only recently, after their historic victory in the playoffs at Steaua Bucharest’s expense to reach the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League group stages.

Also in Group B is FC Basel from Switzerland, and more notably ten-time European champions Real Madrid. For Steven Gerrard, there is no way Liverpool won’t cross the first round of the competition.

“If we go out in the group stages, or the last 16, we will be majorly, majorly disappointed. We want to progress. We want to go as far as we can. This can’t be a one-off. 

Steven Gerrard can't imagine going out of the 2014/15 UCL campaign in the group stages

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard down and dejected

“This isn’t a reward for finishing second last year. I don’t see it as a reward. This is where Liverpool should be — and should be consistently. It’s the responsibility of myself and the players to give it our best crack. It is important that we have got the Champions League next year as well.”

As of now, Liverpool seat in eight position in the English Premier League. They missed a chance to go higher in the standings after losing 1-0 to second-placed Aston Villa, last weekend. It’s only Matchday 4 in the EPL but every point counts and Steven Gerrard is looking to turn Anfield into hell for visitors in the UEFA Champions League.

“We have got such a big advantage over two legs, with Anfield, that other teams haven’t got. Let me tell you right now: you come to Anfield, you’re getting a terribly hard 90 minutes. And we are going to make it even harder for you.”

A SEE OF RED: Liverpool fans are proud of their five-time Champions League winners!

Liverpool supporters at Anfield

Against Ludogorets on Tuesday night, should the public expect a flood of goals from the Merseyside Reds who failed to hit the back of the net against the Villans?