Alvaro Arbeloa: Going Back to Liverpool with Real Madrid is Very Special

Former Liverpool star Alvaro Arbeloa has said that going back to Anfield on Wednesday for the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and the Merseysiders will be "very special".

The Spanish defender spent two and a half seasons at Liverpool from 2006 - 2009 under his compatriot Rafa Benitez, before making a move back to the La Liga giants.

"Going back to Liverpool after five years will be very special. I played at Anfield, so it will be great. But not just for me. I have told my team-mates to enjoy the match at Anfield as much as possible," Arbeloa said, according to Real Madrid official website.

"Champions League nights and big games like this one at Anfield are very special. We're going to be up against a team that will come out to fight to the last and will give everything, because they need to win too."

Real Madrid top the group after winning both games against Ludogorets and Basel, while the Reds beat the Romanians in the opener, but lost to the Swiss side in their second game.

"We're doing very well. We won the first two matches, which was our aim. We know that we still have to play two matches against Liverpool, which are going to be decisive in seeing how the group ends up. We want to play well and come out on top."

The Spaniard became a crucial asset for then manager Benitez during his time at Liverpool, playing both as a full-back and in the centre of the defence.

"I grew a lot, both as a player and as a person. I spent two wonderful years there and I got used to a new culture," Arbeloa said.

Arbeloa keeps good memories from his time at Merseyside despite being part of the team that lost the Champions League final against Milan in the 2006-2007 campaign.

Questioned whether that defeat made last season's Champions League victory with Real Madrid special, he said: "La Décima (Los Blancos' tenth European title) was the most important trophy and after winning it I can look back without the anxiety I had before."

I've lost in the semi-finals four times and I always thought about the missed opportunity in Athens (against AC Milan)."